Wild Rice, Berry Harvesting Wrap Up For Season

Wild Rice, Berry Harvesting Wrap Up For Season

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 14:20

The wild rice harvest is pretty much over in northern Saskatchewan.

Provincial northern agriculture expert Gerry Ivanochko says recent warm weather helped improve the overall picture, but crop sizes are still down from last year.

He estimates average yields are only about fifty percent of what they usually are.

On the plus side, he says, the quality of the rice is generally good.

He says growers will have to wait and see what the final figures are.

Meantime, Ivanochko notes this week’s colder temperatures mean the end for the berry season is also close at hand, and overall the berries have done well this year.

Ivanochko adds the main concern now is for the blueberries, which are more vulnerable to frost than cranberries.