Saskatchewan producers made good seeding progress again this past week, with most crops developing normally.
Thursday’s crop report estimated provincewide seeding at 88% complete as of Monday, up from 72% a week earlier and ahead of the five- and 10-year averages of 82% and 85%.
Rainfall was variable across the province with some producers in the southeast regions experiencing increased amounts. The highest reported rainfall was in the Weyburn area at 66 millimetres (mm). However, other areas reported dry, windy conditions, and topsoil moisture levels did show some erosion compared to a week earlier.
Cropland topsoil moisture across the province was rated 4% surplus, 65% adequate and 27% short as of Monday, versus 6% surplus, 69% adequate, 22% short, and 3% very short the previous week.
Fall cereals are currently rated at 89% normal crop development for this time of year, with 7% ahead and 4% behind normal. Spring cereals are estimated to be 73% normal with 13% ahead and 14% behind. Pulse crops are rated at 76% normal, along with 10% ahead and 14% behind. Oilseed development is 73% normal, 7% ahead, and 20% behind.
The southwest is the furthest advanced in seeding progress at 95% complete, followed closely by the west-central region at 94%, the northwest region at 93% and the northeast region at 92%. The east-central and southeast regions are the furthest behind at 81% and 80%, respectively.
Provincially, seeding progress is the furthest ahead for field peas and lentils at 98% and 95% complete, respectively. Chickpeas are reported at 91%, while soybeans are only at 48%. For cereal crops, durum and spring wheat are both at 93%. Barley is at 89% followed by oats at 79%, and canary seed at 75%. For oilseeds, mustard is 92% done, followed by canola at 83% and flax at 73%.
Most producers anticipate that seeding will wrap up within the next week if weather permits.
Crop damage was minor this past week, with a few producers reporting some damage due to heat, wind and dry conditions. Flooding and frost were also noted as causing minor damage in some areas of the province. Flea beetle, wireworm and cutworm activity has been noted, with some producers taking control measures, the report said.
Southeast:
Despite some reports of seeding delays due to wet conditions in parts of the region, seeding is now reported at 80 per cent complete. This is up 25 per cent from last week and is on par with the five-year average of 80 per cent.
Field peas are the furthest ahead at 97 per cent complete followed by lentils at 95 per cent and chickpeas at 85 per cent. For cereal crops, durum is 90 per cent, spring wheat is 85 per cent, barley is 80 per cent, oats are 74 per cent, canary seed is 73 per cent and triticale is 44 per cent complete. Oilseed progress is further behind at 73 per cent for mustard, 69 per cent for canola and 63 per cent for flax. Soybeans are 66 per cent complete. Perennial forage is reported at 27 per cent seeding completion in the region.
Rain was variable this week with increased amounts reported for the central area of the region. The Weyburn area reported 66 mm this week followed by the Griffin and Indian Head areas at 20 mm each and the Browning area at 18 mm. Topsoil moisture conditions for cropland are reported at 17 per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate and three per cent short.
Southwest:
Producers within the region report that seeding is 95 per cent complete. This is up six per cent from last week’s reported completion and ahead of the five-year average of 91 per cent.
Soybeans and triticale are the furthest advanced within the region indicating that seeding of these crops is virtually complete. Field peas and chickpeas are both 99 per cent complete and lentils are 98 per cent done. For cereal crops, durum and spring wheat are both 97 per cent, barley and canary seed are both 95 per cent and oats are 94 per cent complete. Oilseed progress is at 98 per cent for mustard, 95 per cent for canola and 94 per cent for flax. Perennial forage is reported at 90 per cent complete in the region.
Small amounts of rain fell over the week with the highest recorded amount in the Huron area at 16 mm. The Pinto Creek and Craik areas each reported 11 mm. Producers are hoping for additional rainfall over the coming weeks to help maintain moisture for crop development.
Topsoil moisture conditions remain mostly adequate for the region but are drying down. Cropland topsoil moisture is reported at 74 per cent adequate, 23 per cent short and three per cent very short.
East-Central:
Seeding progressed to 81 per cent within the region over the last week. This is above the five-year average of 70 per cent but is up 23 per cent from last week’s report.
Lentils and field peas are the furthest advanced within the region at 96 per cent seeding completion for both crops. For cereal crops, spring wheat is 90 per cent, durum is 83 per cent, barley is 81 per cent, oats are 67 per cent, canary seed is 41 per cent and triticale is 25 per cent complete. Oilseed seeding progress is 75 per cent for canola, 73 per cent for flax and 60 per cent for mustard. Soybeans are 69 per cent complete and chickpeas are only at 24 per cent. Perennial forage is reported at 60 per cent seeding completion in the region.
Rainfall amounts varied across the region. The highest amount reported was in the Foam Lake area at 12 mm followed by the Good Lake area at 10 mm. Other areas received lower or trace amounts of precipitation.
Topsoil moisture conditions remain mostly adequate for the region but all have been reduced compared to moisture conditions reported last week. Cropland topsoil moisture is reported at one per cent surplus, 62 per cent adequate, 34 per cent short and three per cent very short.
West-Central
Producers are reporting 94 per cent seeding completion within the region over the past week. This is up 13 per cent from last week and ahead of the five-year average of 86 per cent.
Field peas, chickpeas and triticale are the furthest advanced within the region, indicating that seeding of these crops is virtually complete. They are followed by lentils at 99 per cent. For cereal crops, spring wheat, durum and canary seed are all at 96 per cent, barley is 94 per cent and oats are 69 per cent complete. For oilseeds, mustard is 96 per cent seeded, canola is 93 per cent and flax is at 91 per cent. Soybeans are 50 per cent seeded in the region. Perennial forage is reported at 78 per cent seeding completion in the region.
Rainfall was variable throughout the region with the highest rainfall recorded in the Harris area at 15 mm followed by the Manitou Lake area at 14 mm. The Biggar area received 10 mm and the Hillsdale area received eight mm. Producers are hoping for a timely rain to help with emergence and crop development.
Topsoil moisture conditions are becoming short for the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is reported at 47 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and six per cent very short.
Northeast:
Producers report 92 per cent seeding completion, up 18 per cent from last week’s report. This is significantly ahead of the five-year average of 75 per cent.
Of the pulses, field peas are the furthest advanced within the region with seeding estimated at being 100 per cent complete, followed by lentils at 78 per cent and chickpeas at 38 per cent complete. For cereal crops, spring wheat is at 99 per cent, barley is 97 per cent, oats are 95 per cent, canary seed is 92 per cent, durum is 89 per cent and triticale is at 36 per cent complete. Oilseed seeding progress is 94 per cent complete for canola, 85 per cent for flax and 28 per cent for mustard. Soybeans are 33 per cent seeded in the region. Perennial forage is reported at 60 per cent seeding completion in the region.
Very little rain fell throughout the region over the past week, with the highest recorded amount being five mm in each of the Barrier Valley, Star City and Aberdeen regions. Other areas received lower or trace amounts of precipitation. Producers are hoping for a significant rain to help with emergence and crop development.
Topsoil moisture conditions have become short for the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is reported at 31 per cent adequate, 59 per cent short and 10 per cent very short.
Northwest:
Producers are reporting 93 per cent seeding completion within the region over the past week. This is up 12 per cent from last week and ahead of the five-year average of 86 per cent.
All of the field peas, lentils and canary seed crops are seeded within the region, while spring wheat and flax are nearly complete. Barley is reported at 95 per cent complete followed by canola at 91 per cent, triticale at 90 per cent and oats at 86 per cent. Perennial forage is reported at 40 per cent complete in the region.
Rain fell throughout the region over the past week with the highest recorded amount falling in the Loon Lake and Frenchman Butte regions at 12 mm. The Round Hill area received 10 mm followed by the Blaine Lake, Douglas and Meota areas at eight mm. While the rain was welcome this week, producers are hoping for more to help with emergence and crop development.
Topsoil moisture conditions improved slightly for the region this week. Cropland topsoil moisture is reported at 58 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and seven per cent very short.
