Snowy conditions add challenges to an already difficult harvest season

After a dry spring forced a late start to the harvest season, farmers have had a handful of challenges. As the final days of the season approaches, many producers are forced to battle Mother Nature and harvest in the snow.

Logan Priddy, a farmer on the outskirts of Saskatoon, has been combining in the snow. He said if the snow is frozen enough, it surprisingly travels through the combine without issues, but most of the other equipment doesn’t work as well in the snow and the cold.

“It always seems like you’re stopping for something and the equipment was never designed to work in these conditions,” Priddy said.

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Todd Lewis, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, said this is one of the worst harvest seasons in recent years.

“Some areas of the province had less than ten good harvest days,” Lewis said.

Producers may decide to leave the remaining crop for winter, which can be risky. It can be difficult to harvest a crop in the spring after a snowfall, so most producers are doing what they can to finish their harvest.

Priddy said his crop yield is about what he would expect, taking into consideration the challenges of the year.

There will be a final crop report for the season released on Nov. 21, which will include additional harvest progress and summarize the crop year.