Crop Report for the Period August 19 to August 25, 2025

Sep 02, 2025

It was a hot week in Saskatchewan with heavy thunderstorms bringing strong winds and large hail to some regions. Harvest is in full swing in certain areas, while rainfall and humid conditions stalled operations in other areas. Harvest progress continues to lag behind the five and 10-year averages with 12 per cent of the crop off.

The southwest continues to lead harvest progress as 23 per cent of crops are off, followed by the southeast where progress sits at 14 per cent. The east and west-central regions trail behind at 11 per cent and six per cent harvest progress, respectively. Only a few producers in the northern regions have started combining as progress sits at three per cent in the northeast and two per cent in the northwest.

Producers are primarily focused on combining winter cereal and pulse crops. Over half of winter cereals are in the bin with harvest progress for winter wheat at 70 per cent and fall rye at 66 per cent. There was also a notable increase in harvested pulse acres from last week, with 45 per cent of peas and 35 per cent of lentils now complete. Additionally, more producers are starting to harvest their spring cereals with triticale, barley and durum progress sitting at 42 per cent, 17 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively. The first acres of spring wheat, oats and chickpeas are coming off, but progress is minimal at this point.

Provincially, winter wheat grades are 23 per cent 1 Canada Western (CW), 65 per cent 2 CW, 11 per cent 3 CW and one per cent CW Feed. Winter wheat quality this year is lower than the 10-year average of 54 per cent 1 CW, 32 per cent 2 CW, nine per cent 3 CW, and five per cent CW Feed. For fall rye, grades are 30 per cent 1 CW, 56 per cent 2 CW, 13 per cent 3 CW and one per cent sample. Like winter wheat, fall rye quality this year is lower than the 10-year average of 52 per cent 1 CW, 39 per cent 2 CW, eight per cent 3 CW and one per cent sample.

Many parts of the province were dry last week which advanced crop maturity and harvest efforts. Thunderstorms brought rain to some areas, including the Nipawin area that had the most rainfall with 42 mm, followed by the North Battleford and Consul areas with 30 mm and 28 mm, respectively. There were plenty of additional areas that received notable rainfall last week.

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Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.