Farmers making good progress with the harvest

Aug 19, 2022

This weeks crop report shows the provincial harvest has now hit five per cent.

Harvest is most advanced in the southwest where 17 per cent of the crop in the bin, while the west-central area has eight per cent complete.

Two percent of the crop is in for the southeast, the east central region has one per cent done, while the northern regions are just gearing up.

Crop Extension Specialist Matt Struthers says reports for the southwest and west central areas suggest yields are well below average.

"It's depending on who got the rain and who didn't. Overall, some of the yields coming out of the southwest are quite low and far below average. Whereas, there are pockets of that region that did get a bit of rain and they're a little closer to average. On the eastern half of the province where they have started harvesting in some areas, the crop does look quite good. Compared to last year, they're quite happy with the yields that they're seeing."

So far, 36 per cent of the winter wheat, 22 per cent of the fall rye, 16 per cent of the field peas, 24 per cent of the lentils and two per cent of canola has been combined.

He notes that grasshoppers caused significant crop damage for farmers throughout the growing season and now continue to cause problems with the harvest.

"It doesn't just stop at them eating your crop, they also cause issues when you combine through them. So lots of producers dealing with plugging up combines and just the mess that the insects make once they go through that combine and get into the seeds. So lots of seed cleaning probably will be occurring especially down in the southwest and anywhere else in the province that is dealing with an overpopulation of grasshoppers."

Struthers adds on top of the grasshoppers, farmers continue to deal with aphids and diamondback moths.

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Video: How a Desire to Lead Brought This Wheat Breeder to Canada

Gurcharn Singh Brar is a wheat breeder whose path meandered from the breadbaskets of Punjab, India, to the sprawling fields of the Prairies. In a candid conversation, Brar shared insights into his journey, the challenges faced, and the undying passion that fuels his quest for better crops.

It all began with a childhood rooted in the wheat fields of Punjab, where agriculture isn’t just a livelihood but a way of life. His fascination with wheat and its potential led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences at Punjab Agricultural University. It was during this time that he encountered the spectre of rust diseases, particularly stripe rust, which plagued the region’s wheat crops. Determined to combat this menace, he set his sights on a journey that would take him across continents.

Venturing abroad for his graduate studies, he found himself in Saskatchewan at the Crop Development Centre (CDC), working under the mentorship of renowned researchers like Randy Kutcher and Pierre Hucl. Here, he delved deep into the world of wheat genetics, focusing on stripe rust resistance — a quest that would shape his academic pursuits for years to come.

After completing his master’s and Ph.D. in six and a half years, he embarked on a professional journey that would see him traverse academia and research. From brief stints as a research officer to landing his dream faculty position at the University of British Columbia’s Plant Science program, his career trajectory was marked by a strong drive to make a difference in the world of wheat.

Despite the allure of British Columbia’s unique agricultural landscape, he found himself wanting to return to the vast expanses of the Prairies, where wheat reigns supreme. He recently returned to the Prairies and is the new wheat breeder at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

“The opportunity to lead an established wheat breeding program at the University of Alberta was a dream come true. With the necessary resources and infrastructure in place, I’m excited to drive innovation and develop high-yielding wheat varieties tailored to the unique conditions of northern Canada,” he says.

Brar, one of Seed World Canada‘s 2024 Next-Gen Leaders, has become known for identifying novel sources of resistance to priority diseases and his efforts in developing wheat germplasm with multiple disease-resistant traits.

In addition to his groundbreaking research, Brar is committed to mentoring the next generation of agricultural scientists.

“I believe in nurturing talent and empowering students to pursue their passions,” he says. “Watching my students grow and thrive in their research endeavours is hugely rewarding.”

As he looks ahead, Brar’s vision for the future of wheat breeding is clear: “My number one target is to develop high-yielding wheat varieties adapted to the northern climates of Canada. By focusing on early maturity and strong straw traits, we can maximize yield potential while ensuring resilience to environmental challenges.”

His decision to also join the Prairie Recommending Committee for Wheat, Rye, and Triticale (PGDC) executive as member-at-large came from a desire to play an even more important role in the world of Canadian cereals.