'Worst crop since 88': Sask. farmers facing tough harvest
After scorching temperatures this past summer, farmers are wrapping up their harvest with the majority of them facing lower than expected yields.
Kevin Hursh farms northeast of Swift Current and said he expects this year's drought to have a huge impact on his crop.
“This is the worst crop since 1988 and in many ways this was a worse year than 1988," Hursh said.
Hursh said the extreme heat played a significant role in his reduced yield. His farm was short on several of their contracts.
"You contract the first 10 bushels per acre at a price and you think 'well if we produce a half or a third, that’s safe,'" Hursh said. "In some cases, we were less than that, and we’re actually buying back some of the contracts to have seed for next year on a couple of contracts."
The Agriculture Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) says 75 per cent of its producers have completed their 2021 harvest, with the remaining wrapping up over the next few days. The overwhelming majority of its members are reporting below-average yields.
"There are areas of the province where yields were 10-15 per cent of average and in some cases the crops were not even worth harvesting," said APAS vice president Bill Prybylski. "Overall average, we’re probably looking at 30-40 per cent decrease in yields provincewide."
Several of those members are looking at significant penalties for not being able to meet the requirements for their contracts, Prybylski said.
For producers like Hursh, the pain won’t end at the end of the 2021. He tells CTV News he's expecting to face higher costs down the road.
"Very high fertilizer, seed prices will be very high going into next year. When you look at very little soil moisture and the large investment you’ll need to make into growing next year's crop, that becomes worrisome," Hursh said.
An AgriRecovery was launched a few weeks ago to help livestock producers as well as modifications to the AgraStability program which Prybylski says will help a few producers through the challenging time.
"It’s going to take a coordinated effort from all levels of government and the industry to help producers get through this.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.