Early planting has been a challenge for some Saskatchewan producers.
The province’s first weekly crop report for the 2026 growing season on Thursday showed provincewide planting of all crops at 3% complete as of Monday, trailing the five- and 10-year averages of 12% and 13%, respectively. Last year at this time, 18% of the Saskatchewan crop had already been planted.
Cold temperatures, frozen soils, flooding, runoff and washed-out roads have continued to slow fieldwork in parts of the province, the report said.
The southwest is the furthest advanced region, with 7% of the crop seeded, followed by the southeast at 5%. Progress remains limited in the west-central region at 1%, while seeding is delayed across the east-central, northeast, and northwest regions (see soil moisture map below).
Cereal crops are leading early fieldwork, with durum 10% complete as of Monday, barley at 4%, spring wheat and oats at 2%, and canary seed at 1%. Among pulses, peas were 6% seeded, lentils 4%, and chickpeas 3%. Oilseed planting is just beginning, with mustard and canola each at 3% done and flax at 2%.
Limited precipitation over the past week should help saturated fields dry and allow more producers to begin seeding in the coming weeks, the report said. The highest rainfall totals were reported near Rockglen at 8 millimetres and Carnduff at 3 millimetres.
Provincial topsoil moisture remains mostly adequate, although conditions vary by region. Cropland moisture was rated 24% surplus, 69% adequate and 7% short as of Monday. That compares to 3% surplus, 78% adequate, 16% short and 3% very short last year.
Southeast:
Southeastern Saskatchewan seeding is beginning to move ahead despite cold conditions, with 5% of the crop now planted, behind the five-year regional average of 10%. Durum is 20% seeded, oats 17%, barley 9%, spring wheat 3%, canola 12%, field peas 10%, and lentils and chickpeas each 4% complete.
Rainfall was minimal over the past week, with only 3 mm reported near Carnduff, but topsoil moisture remains mostly adequate. Cropland moisture is rated 75% adequate, while hayland and pasture are showing more dryness, with 20% of hayland and 29% of pasture rated short. Producers are continuing seeding, pre-seed spraying, harrowing, rock picking, calving, fence repairs and preparations to move cattle to pasture.
Southwest:
Southwestern Saskatchewan remains the furthest advanced region in the province for seeding progress, with 7% of the 2026 crop planted, although that remains well behind the five-year regional average of 26%. Triticale is leading progress at 37% seeded, followed by field peas at 20%, barley at 11%, spring wheat and durum each at 8%, canola at 8%, lentils at 6%, canary seed at 5%, mustard at 4%, chickpeas and flax at 3%, oats at 2%, and perennial forages at 2%.
No rainfall was recorded across the region over the past week, although topsoil moisture remains mostly adequate. Cropland moisture is rated 81% adequate, while hayland and pasture conditions are beginning to show increasing dryness. Spring runoff levels were reported at 68% below normal and 32% normal, with 55% of crop reporters indicating runoff was insufficient to replenish dugouts and water supplies. Producers continue seeding, pre-seed spraying, harrowing, rock picking, calving, fence repairs and preparations to move cattle out to pasture.
East-Central:
Producers in east-central Saskatchewan are struggling to begin spring seeding, with no crop planting reported so far this season, compared to the five-year regional average of 5%. Excess moisture, flooding and damaged roads continue to delay field operations across much of the region.
Only light rainfall was recorded over the past week, with the highest totals at 2 mm near Arran and Wroxton and 1 mm around Foam Lake. Topsoil moisture conditions remain highly saturated, with cropland rated 43% surplus and 53% adequate. Hayland and pasture conditions also show large surplus moisture levels. Spring runoff was reported at 61% above normal, with all crop reporters indicating runoff was sufficient to replenish dugouts and water supplies. Producers continue preparing for seeding, along with pre-seed spraying, harrowing, calving, fence repairs and preparations to move cattle to pasture.
West-Central:
West-central Saskatchewan producers have made limited progress with spring seeding, with only 1% of the crop planted so far, well behind the five-year regional average of 11%. Canola and durum are each 5% seeded, spring wheat is 3% complete, barley and lentils are 2% seeded, and field peas are 1% planted.
Most areas in the region received little to no rainfall over the past week, although up to 8 mm was reported near Milden. Topsoil moisture conditions remain mostly adequate, allowing fields to dry enough for operations to begin, but concerns about moisture reserves remain. Spring runoff was reported at 79% below normal, and only 39% of crop reporters said runoff was sufficient to replenish dugouts and water supplies. Producers continue seeding, pre-seed spraying, harrowing, rock picking, calving, fence repairs and preparations to move cattle out to pasture.
Northeast:
Northeastern Saskatchewan producers have yet to begin spring seeding, with no crop planting reported so far this season, compared to the five-year regional average of 4%. Excess moisture and damaged roads continue to delay field operations across much of the region.
Most areas received little to no rainfall over the past week, but topsoil moisture remains heavily saturated following significant spring runoff. Cropland moisture is rated 58% surplus and 42% adequate, while hayland and pasture conditions are also showing large surplus moisture levels. Runoff conditions were reported at 89% above normal, with all crop reporters indicating water supplies and dugouts have been sufficiently replenished. Producers continue preparing for seeding, along with pre-seed spraying, harrowing, calving, fence repairs and preparations to move cattle to pasture.
Northwest:
Northwestern Saskatchewan producers are making very limited progress with spring seeding, with only small amounts of field peas and spring wheat planted so far, well behind the five-year regional average of 10%. Excess moisture and damaged roads continue to slow field operations across parts of the region.
Most areas received little to no rainfall over the past week, with the highest total at just 2 mm near Glaslyn. Topsoil moisture conditions remain mostly adequate, although cropland is still rated 27% surplus. Spring runoff was reported at 55% above normal, with all crop reporters indicating runoff was sufficient to replenish dugouts and water supplies. Producers are continuing preparations for broader seeding operations, along with pre-seed spraying, harrowing, rock picking, calving, fence repairs and preparations to move cattle out to pasture.
