Wild rice harvesting on the go across northern Saskatchewan

Muirhead also describes the process of harvesting wild rice as “combining of water.” The business uses boats with a speed head on the front which is a long, wide collection basket to scoop the rice at a certain speed that doesn’t damage the plant. When the basket is full, it’s then transported to a flat-bottom boat and dumped. It is then collected into bags and hauled out of the area.

“If it is harvested properly and maintained, it will come back,” she said. “If it’s not harvested, it will get thinner and thinner until the patch goes away. It’s beneficial to always harvest and maintain your lakes.”

Riese’s Canadian Lake Wild Rice Owner Lynne Watt, who is a major buyer of the grain, also stated the season is about a week late. In comparison to last year, she said the La Ronge Wild Rice Plant began operating Sept. 5, but this year it was only fired up today. Watt, who purchased the business in 2018 from Lynn Riese, stated the company sells wild rice across Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.

“We never have enough inventory for the demand, so that’s not an issue,” she said. “Looking at volumes of demand, the Asian market is always the one that wants the most, but we try to spread it out, so everybody gets a fair share. Keeping a diversity in the market is definitely an important business consideration.”

Watt believes the harvest started late due to factors such as rainy weather in July and August, along with colder than usual temperatures. She is hopeful, however, the harvest could extend into the third week of October.

“One of our main business principles is we buy from as many local growers as we can and definitely support the economy,” Watt said. “We really try to sustain what the northern economy has already.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno

by Derek Cornet

Wild rice harvesting on the go across northern Saskatchewan

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