Just three per cent of Saskatchewan’s 2026 crop in the ground: Agriculture ministry

Cold weather and flooding have pushed back the start of the growing season in Saskatchewan, with only three per cent of the year’s crop seeded.

According to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s crop report, which covered the week ending on Monday, the three per cent figure puts the province’s farmers well behind the five-year average of 12 per cent and the 10-year average of 13 per cent.

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“Cold temperatures, frozen soils and washed-out roads are limiting seeding progress for many areas; this is expected to change in the coming weeks,” the ministry said in its report.

“Cereal crops such as triticale and durum are leading the seeding progress while pulse and oilseed crops are just getting underway.”

Seeding is furthest advanced in the southwest, where seven per cent of the year’s crop is in the ground. The southeast region was close behind, at five per cent. But in west-central Saskatchewan only one per cent of the year’s crop has been seeded, while all seeding has been delayed in the east-central, northeast and northwest regions of the province.

“Limited moisture throughout much of the province over the past week will allow saturated fields to begin to dry up and seeding operations to get underway,” the ministry noted.

While topsoil moisture is generally adequate across the province, the ministry noted that some areas are seeing dry conditions while flooding is a concern in other regions.

In cropland, topsoil moisture was rated as 24 per cent surplus, 69 per cent adequate and seven per cent short. For hayland, moisture levels were 14 per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate, 14 per cent short and one per cent very short. In pastures, moisture levels were rated as 10 per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate, 18 per cent short and one per cent very short.

“Livestock producers in the west-central and southwest regions are hopeful for moisture in the coming weeks to support water supplies and pasture conditions throughout the season,” the ministry added.

According to the ministry, spring runoff is expected to be sufficient to replenish water in dugouts and other basins in most parts of the province, though drought concerns persist in the west-central and southwestern regions.

Pasture conditions reported in April showed six per cent in excellent condition, the ministry said, while 42 per cent were in good condition, 24 per cent fair, 20 per cent poor and eight per cent very poor.

“With the drier weather this week, some producers are busy in their fields with seeding, pre-seed spraying for weed control, harrowing and rock picking while others are waiting for the water to recede and the land to dry up,” the ministry said.

“Livestock producers are busy calving with some producers finishing up for the season. As cattle are being moved out to pasture, producers are also busy checking and fixing fences.”

The full report can be found on the agriculture ministry’s website.