Saskatchewan is often referred to as the breadbasket of Canada due to its significant contribution to the country’s agricultural sector. The province’s vast open spaces, fertile soil, and favorable climate make
it an ideal location for growing a wide variety of crops. Saskatchewan leads the nation in the cultivation of cereal grains, oilseeds, and pulses, making it a key player in Canada’s agricultural landscape.

Cropland Dominance: Saskatchewan accounts for a substantial portion of Canada’s total cropland, with farms in the province reporting over 40 million acres of cropland in 2021.

Cereal Grains:

Saskatchewan is a leading producer of various cereal grains, including barley, oats, wheat, and triticale. These grains play a significant role in the agricultural landscape of the province, contributing to both livestock feed and human food markets.

Barley: Hulless barley is a type of barley that lacks the tough, inedible hull present in traditional barley varieties. It can be used for both livestock feed and human consumption. The production cycle of hulless barley involves planting, cultivation, harvesting, and processing for its intended use.

Barley: Malting barley is specifically grown for the purpose of malting, which is the process of germinating and drying the barley to produce malt. This malt is used in brewing beer and other beverages. Growing malt barley requires careful variety selection, field preparation, seeding practices, and attention to quality standards to ensure marketability.

Harvesting Surplus Cereal Straw In addition to harvesting cereal grains for their seeds: There is also value in harvesting surplus cereal straw. Proper management of cereal straw can contribute to soil health, livestock bedding, and other agricultural uses. Understanding when to harvest straw, crop rotation considerations, and best practices for straw production are important aspects of this process.

Oats: Production and Markets Oats are another important cereal crop grown in Saskatchewan. The production of oats involves planting, growing, and harvesting the crop for various markets. Oats are a major global commodity with diverse applications ranging from human consumption to livestock feed.

Triticale: Production and Use Triticale is a hybrid grain developed to combine the qualities of wheat and rye. It offers advantages such as drought tolerance, high yields, and nutritional value. Triticale can be used for grazing, grain production, silage making, and as an alternative feed grain for livestock.

Wheat: Canada Prairie Spring Wheat Canada Prairie Spring wheat is a class of wheat developed as an alternative to traditional wheat varieties. It offers lower protein content while maintaining quality standards suitable for various uses.

Wheat: Khorasan wheat is an ancient grain adapted to prairie climates. Its cultivation involves specific crop management practices to optimize yield potential while managing pests and diseases effectively.

Wheat: Winter wheat is a large-scale cereal crop suitable for crop rotations in Saskatchewan. Understanding how to produce winter wheat successfully while protecting it from weeds and diseases is crucial for its cultivation.

Saskatchewan Oil Seeds

Saskatchewan is a significant producer of oilseed crops in Canada, with a focus on several key varieties. The major oilseed crops grown in Saskatchewan include canola, flax, and mustard. These crops play a crucial role
in the agricultural landscape of the province and contribute significantly to both domestic consumption and international exports.

Canola: Canola is one of the primary oilseed crops grown in Saskatchewan. It is a cool-season crop that thrives in the region’s climate, particularly on the Canadian prairies. Canola plants belong to the Brassica family and are related to other cruciferous vegetables like kale, cabbage, and broccoli. Saskatchewan is a leading producer of canola globally, with the province’s fertile lands supporting its cultivation.

Flax: Flaxseed is another important oilseed crop grown in Saskatchewan. Flax is known for its industrial and nutritional properties, with its seeds containing high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Saskatchewan’s cool growing season makes it well-suited for flax production, and the province contributes significantly to Canada’s overall flaxseed output.

Mustard: Saskatchewan is also renowned for being the world’s largest exporter of mustard seeds. Mustard plants are cultivated for their seeds, which are used in various culinary applications and condiments. The province’s mustard production plays a vital role in meeting global demand for this spice and ingredient.

Soybean: Soybean Production in Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan has been increasingly producing soybeans as the cultivation of this crop expands into more northern climates. Soybeans are a warm-season crop that requires sufficient heat and moisture to thrive, making Saskatchewan’s climate suitable for their growth under the right conditions. The adaptation of soybean varieties to more northern regions, including Saskatchewan, has
contributed to the expansion of soybean production in the province.

Pulse Crops: Saskatchewan is a significant producer of various pulse crops, contributing to the province’s agricultural economy and global exports. Pulse crops refer to a group of grain legume crops that are rich in protein, starch, and fiber. The main pulse crops grown in Saskatchewan include common bean, field pea, chickpea, lentil, and faba bean. These crops play a crucial role in crop rotations, providing nitrogen fixation benefits and diversifying farm income.

Various types of pulse crops are cultivated in Saskatchewan to meet diverse market demands. For instance, lentil production includes green lentils as well as an expanding red lentil crop. Field peas are primarily yellow for human or animal consumption. Chickpeas come in kabuli (large white-seeded) and desi (small brown-seeded) varieties. Additionally, other pulse crops like common beans and faba beans are grown in smaller quantities.

Livestock: Livestock production in Saskatchewan is a significant component of the province’s agricultural industry. Saskatchewan is known for its vast pasture lands and diverse livestock sectors, including beef, hog, dairy, poultry, egg, honey producers, and more. Livestock plays a crucial role in the economy and livelihood of many farmers and ranchers in the region. Saskatchewan is Canada’s second-largest beef-producing province, covering a substantial portion of the country’s pasture land. The province’s favorable climate and extensive grazing areas make it an ideal location for livestock production. Livestock sectors such as beef, hog, dairy, poultry, and others contribute to the agricultural diversity and innovation in Saskatchewan.

The livestock sectors in Saskatchewan encompass a wide range of animals, including cattle, bison, elk, deer, hogs, poultry, sheep, goats, and more. Each sector has specific considerations for nutrition, health, welfare, and management practices to ensure optimal productivity and animal well-being