{
  "id": 8116476,
  "title": "Harvest delayed across the Prairies as farmers deal with waterlogged fields",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/harvest-delayed-across-the-prairies-as-farmers-deal-with-waterlogged-8116476",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-17T22:18:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news-globalnews",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12063484/late-harvest-prairie-soaked-fields/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Farmers across Canada's Prairie provinces are grappling with delayed harvests due to excessive rainfall this summer, according to recent crop reports. Saskatchewan is the furthest behind schedule compared to its five-year averages, with only 32% of crops harvested as of September 14, falling short of the 71% average. Farmers in the province have been struggling to find sufficiently dry crops for processing through combines. Rob Stone, a farmer from Davidson, Sask., expressed frustration, noting that despite having harvested since mid-August, the recent rain has interrupted progress, and he anticipates more work is needed before completion. Stone also pointed out that this extended period of heavy rainfall is not typical for the region, with a notable 8-inch accumulation since late August. Alberta is also experiencing a significant delay, with only 21% of crops harvested as of September 8, compared to the five-year average of 43.5%. Rainfall in the province has continued to hinder the harvest, potentially reducing the quality of the grains and necessitating additional drying measures. The situation in Alberta is exacerbated by cooler temperatures, further slowing down the harvest process. Across Manitoba, southern and northwestern regions lag behind the provincial average, with southern Manitoba only 40% complete, six percent below its 2025 pace, and the northwestern region at 27% completion. Central Manitoba, however, has fared better, with 59% of the crop harvested. In contrast, eastern Manitoba, including the Interlake region, is making more headway, with 47% of crops harvested and rainfall ranging from 5 to 47 millimeters reported. Jonothan Hodson, a cattle and grain farmer, emphasized that the heavy rainfall and subsequent windy weather at the beginning of the harvest season have created suboptimal conditions for many farmers, leading to higher costs and a longer harvest period. Hodson also highlighted the potential long-term issues of soil compaction resulting from wet conditions, which can impact soil health and future yields. Prof. Ranjan Sri Ranjan from the University of Manitoba added that while drainage systems can mitigate some of these issues, the high cost of installation ($1,800 to $2,000 per acre) poses a financial barrier for many farmers. He stressed the need for a comprehensive discussion on how to address the effects of climate change on agriculture, emphasizing that farmers cannot handle these challenges alone.",
  "summary": "Grain farmers on the Prairies are managing a challenging harvest this year, following a stormy summer across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "Harvest delayed across the Prairies as farmers deal with waterlogged fields",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/harvest-delayed-across-the-prairies-as-farmers-deal-with-waterlogged",
        "published": "2026-09-17T22:18:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}