Seeding 80 per cent complete, as Sask. farmers make solid progress after slow start

Saskatchewan producers made significant progress on seeding over the past week.

According to the latest crop report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, which covered the week ending on Monday, seeding is now 80 per cent complete across the province, up from 52 per cent last week.

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Farmers got a late start to seeding in many areas thanks to late-season snow and wet conditions, but producers across Saskatchewan are gradually catching up to the five-year average of 91 per cent and the 10-year average of 92 per cent.

The ministry said seeding is furthest advanced in the southwest and west-central regions, while the northwest and east-central areas are furthest behind. Pulse crops are the most advanced in seeding, followed by durum.

Topsoil moisture levels remained largely stable over the week covered by the report, the ministry noted. The highest rainfall total in the reporting period was seen in the Piapot area, where 60 millimetres fell.

In cropland, topsoil moisture levels were rated as eight per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate, nine per cent short and one per cent very short. For hayland, moisture levels were rated at seven per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate, 14 per cent short and one per cent very short. In pastures, topsoil moisture levels were four per cent surplus, 77 per cent adequate, 17 per cent short and two per cent very short.

“Of the crops that have emerged, the majority are in good to fair condition,” the ministry said in its report.

“Crop damage this week was caused by wind and heat in multiple regions of the province. Minor damage from flea beetles, cutworms and wireworms was also reported. Gopher damage ranged from minor to moderate in all regions except the northeast where there was no gopher damage reported.”

Producers are expected to continue making good progress on seeding, just as long as the weather co-operates.

“If weather conditions remain favourable, producers anticipate seeding will progress rapidly and will be wrapping up in some regions,” the report read.

“Challenging spraying conditions were reported across the province due to the hot, windy weather and have resulted in delays in herbicide applications.”

A full version of the report can be found on the ministry’s website.