Warm Weather Shifts Wild Rice Fortunes

Warm Weather Shifts Wild Rice Fortunes

Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 12:09

 

 

This year’s wild rice harvest is going better than initally expected.

 

La Ronge agriculture expert Gerry Ivanochko says recent warm temperatures have turned things around in many areas.

 

He says right now the bulk of the harvest is coming from the La Ronge area.

 

“The warm weather we’ve had recently has helped a lot, but there was some crop that just was beyond help, I guess. The crop just wasn’t there, because of the high water levels.

 

“It’s interesting that this year there’s a lot of variability. Some people are even reporting it’s their best crop ever, and others (are saying) there’s no crop at all to harvest,” Ivanochko says.

 

Prices are down from last year, but still averaging 75 to 80 cents per pound.

 

Ivanochko says there are fewer buyers for the rice this year, which could cause problems for some growers.

 

He says the main hope now is that the frost stays away until the harvest is complete.

 

He expects some growers will be picking into October.