Saskatchewan producers have wrapped up the 2024 harvest, with 100 percent of crops now in the bin, marking an early and successful end to the season. Though heavy rains in May and June led many to expect a delayed harvest, hot and dry conditions in July and August brought crops to maturity faster than anticipated, allowing producers to begin harvest earlier.
The 2024 harvest season kicked off in the southwest and southeast regions in early August and spread province-wide by month’s end. Despite rain interruptions in some areas, others experienced ongoing dry conditions, raising concerns about moisture reserves for winter. Many producers are now hoping for substantial snowfall to support spring moisture levels.
Overall, most Saskatchewan crops showed strong performance, with yields above the 10-year average for several varieties. Spring moisture gave crops a good start, but hot, dry weather later took a toll on yields in some areas. While crops like durum, oats, canola, and mustard yielded below the 10-year average, fall cereals saw higher yields than usual. Winter wheat averaged 46 bushels per acre, fall rye hit 52 bushels per acre, and spring wheat varieties and legumes generally performed well. Flax was the only oilseed crop to outperform its 10-year average with an average yield of 23 bushels per acre.
Quality was another positive outcome, with most high-acreage crops falling into the top two grade categories. Ninety percent of canola was graded as either 1 CAN or 2 CAN, and 91 percent of hard red spring wheat fell into the top two grades. Lentils and field peas also showed solid quality ratings, with about half of each graded as 1 CAN or 2 CAN. Quality, however, varied across regions, largely due to local environmental conditions.
Producers have also been busy seeding fall cereals, though areas of winter wheat and fall rye acreage declined by about three percent this season. The average silage yield in Saskatchewan this year was 6.37 tons per acre, lower than last year’s seven tons. Hay yields, meanwhile, have improved, with alfalfa and brome hay yields under irrigation exceeding three tons per acre. Hay prices vary, with alfalfa averaging $134.16 per ton and greenfeed $126.25 per ton.
As for moisture, topsoil conditions are better than they were heading into last winter, though shortages persist in some areas. Provincial cropland moisture sits at 49 percent adequate, 44 percent short, and seven percent very short. Pasture conditions show 37 percent adequate, but about a quarter are in poor or very poor condition, emphasizing the need for further precipitation.
Producers are now focusing on final fieldwork before freeze-up, including harrowing, applying fall fertilizer, and preparing grain for storage. Livestock operations are preparing for winter, with cattle movements underway and bales being transported.
A full version of the 2024 Crop Report is available online, and updates continue to be posted on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.