Although seeding advanced across Saskatchewan this past week, weather conditions remained far from ideal as strong winds, rain, and snow slowed fieldwork and left overall planting progress well behind normal.
Thursday’s weekly crop report showed provincewide seeding reached 29% complete as of Monday, up 13 points from a week earlier, but still trailing the five-year average of 55% and the 10-year average of 52%.
Last year at this time, 72% of the Saskatchewan crop was already in the ground.
The southwest region remains the furthest advanced at 55% seeded as of Monday, followed by the southeast at 41%. Progress was slower in other parts of the province, with the west-central region at 30%, the northwest at 16%, the east-central region at 11%, and the northeast at just 3% complete.
Pulse crops continue to lead seeding activity, with field peas and lentils 53% planted and chickpeas at 40%. Among cereal crops, durum is the most advanced at 49% seeded, followed by barley at 27%, spring wheat at 25%, canary seed at 15%, and oats at 11%. Mustard leads oilseed planting at 30% complete, while flax is 21% seeded and canola sits at 15%.
Recent precipitation significantly improved soil moisture conditions across the province. Cropland topsoil moisture is now rated 27% surplus and 67% adequate, compared to 13% surplus and 70% adequate the previous week. Only 1% of cropland is considered very short of moisture.
Farmers are also monitoring early emerged crops after last week’s frost and cold temperatures, the report said. Producers continue to apply pre-seed herbicides when weather allows, while also carrying out harrowing, land rolling, and rock picking. Meanwhile, livestock producers are beginning to move cattle to pasture as recent moisture helps green up grassland conditions across Saskatchewan.
Southeast:
Despite wind, rain and some snow, growers in this region recorded slight progress in seeding over the past week with 41 per cent complete within the region. This is up 20 per cent from last week and slightly behind the five-year regional average of 47 per cent.
Over the past week, the region experienced strong winds and heavy rain. The most rainfall occurred in Sarnia and Long Laketon, with 55 millimetres (mm) and 54 mm, respectively. Additionally, Dufferin, McKillop and Indian Head recorded 47 mm, 45 mm and 44 mm of rain.
The precipitation recharged topsoil moisture, with most reporters indicating conditions are now adequate.
Southwest:
Producers recorded some seeding progress over the past week despite challenging weather conditions. Currently, seeding is 55 per cent complete across the region. This is up 21 per cent from last week and behind the five-year regional average of 68 per cent.
Many producers are making good progress seeding their cereal and pulse crops while some have made notable progress in seeding their oilseed crops.
Over the past week, the region experienced considerable rainfall. The Eyebrow area received the most at 57 millimetres (mm), with Huron close behind at 55 mm. Both Caron and Hillsborough recorded 49 mm.
As a result of the significant rainfall recorded, the topsoil moisture conditions in this region are mostly adequate.
East-Central:
With windy conditions and precipitation reported in the region last week, seeding increased only slightly from last week's report. Seeding is currently 11 per cent complete within the region. This is up 3 per cent from last week and below the five-year regional average of 42 per cent.
As weather permitted, producers made good progress seeding their cereal and pulse crops, with some also starting seeding with oilseed crops.
Precipitation was scattered, with windy conditions dominating the region over the past week. The highest rainfall was recorded in the Dundurn area at 83 millimetres (mm), followed by the Big Arm area with 67 mm and the Foam Lake area with 55 mm.
The heavy rainfall significantly improved topsoil moisture conditions, which are now considered mostly surplus and adequate.
West-Central:
Producers made substantial seeding progress over the past week despite strong winds, rainfall and hail reported in this region. Currently, seeding is 30 per cent complete. This is up 17 per cent from last week and behind the five-year regional average of 63 per cent.
Many producers are making good progress seeding their cereal and pulse crops, while some have made notable progress in seeding their oilseed crops.
Significant rainfall was reported in this region over the past week, with many areas receiving notable amounts. The highest recorded rainfall occurred in the Milden area, at 62 millimetres (mm). The Buffalo area reported 56 mm, followed by the Perdue area with 53 mm. The areas surrounding Biggar, Glenside and Reford recorded 50 mm of rainfall.
The reported rainfall in this region significantly enhanced the topsoil moisture conditions.
Northeast:
Producers reported minimal progress in seeding over the past week, as widespread rain and some snow left fields wet. Currently, seeding is 3 per cent complete across the region. This is up 2 per cent from last week and remains behind the five-year regional average of 46 per cent.
Seeding progress was limited by weather conditions
Scattered precipitation was reported across the region over the past week, with some areas receiving significant amounts, accompanied by strong winds and some spring snowfall. The highest precipitation was recorded in Bayne at 51 millimetres (mm), followed by Aberdeen at 50 mm and then the Grant area which recorded 47 mm of rainfall.
Given the recorded precipitation in this region, topsoil moisture conditions are mostly surplus and adequate.
Northwest:
Despite strong winds and saturated fields from recent rainfall, producers still made some seeding progress this past week. Currently, seeding is 16 per cent complete within the region. This is up 10 per cent from last week and behind the five-year regional average of 62 per cent.
Many producers are making good progress seeding their cereal and pulse crops, while some have started seeding their oilseed crops.
Over the past week, the region experienced precipitation along with strong winds. The North Battleford area received the highest rainfall at 85 millimetres (mm), while Loon Lake and Meota recorded 57 mm and 50 mm, respectively.
The recorded precipitation replenished topsoil moisture, which is now mostly surplus and adequate.
