Weekly crop report

For the period of May 18-24

Even with the prolonged rain experienced across the province over the week, producers were still able to seed throughout all regions. Eighty-six per cent of the crop is now seeded in Saskatchewan, which is ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) of 77 per cent for this time of year. Recent rains will greatly improve crop germination and emergence in many parts of the province that were delayed due to dry conditions.

The southwest region is the farthest along with 91 per cent of the crop seeded. Eighty-nine per cent has been seeded in the west-central, 87 per cent seeded in the northwest, 86 per cent seeded in the southeast, 85 per cent seeded in the northeast and lastly, 77 per cent seeded in the east-central region of the province.

Steady rain was experienced this week across the province, especially in the south, which saw some very high rainfalls. The Limerick area received the most with 116 mm. The Indian Head area received 108 mm and the Odessa area received 100 mm. The rain will delay seeding for some producers where soils are slow to drain but it is still very welcome to help crop and pasture growth.
Cool, cloudy days and rain showers have helped improve moisture conditions in many parts of the province. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate, 11 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 66 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and four per cent very short. Pasture conditions are rated as zero per cent excellent, 17 per cent good, 39 per cent fair, 34 per cent poor and 10 per cent very poor.

Earlier seeded crops have started to show good emergence, but cool night time temperatures have slowed growth in some areas. In general, crops are normal in development stages for this time of year, but some crops are behind due to an unusually cool spring and limited moisture. Most of the crop damage this week was due to strong winds, light frosts, limited moisture and flea beetles.

Producers have been busy seeding, moving livestock to pasture, calving and spraying pre-and post-emergent herbicides now that weeds are starting to emerge.

Northwestern Saskatchewan

Eighty-seven per cent of the crop is seeded, which is up from 77 per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) of 67 per cent for this time of year. Rainfall in the region delayed seeding for some producers, but it has since continued.

Like the rest of the province, the region saw much need rainfall over the past week. The Spiritwood and Neilburg areas reported the most at 56 mm, the Turtleford area reported 55 mm, the Hafford area reported 53 mm and the Duck Lake and Meadow Lake areas reported 45 mm.

Moisture conditions in the area are good to support crop, pasture and hay land development. Cool temperatures over the past few weeks have greatly reduced pasture growth and slowed crop development. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as eight per cent surplus and 76 per cent adequate and 16 per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as eight per cent surplus, 62 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and four per cent very short. Pasture conditions are rated zero per cent excellent, four per cent good, 46 per cent fair, 35 per cent poor and 15 per cent very poor.

Overall, crop development is normal to behind for this time of year. Emergence has been delayed due to cool conditions and lack of moisture. There were reports of light frosts and localized flooding in the region and producers are continuing to assess damage.
Producers are busy seeding, processing and moving cattle into pastures and rock picking.

Northeastern Saskatchewan

Producers have been working hard and there has been huge gains in seeding progress this week, with 85 per cent of the crop currently seeded. This is up from 63 per cent last week and ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) for this time of year of 62 per cent. Some of the earlier seeded crops have started to emerge.

Rainfall in some areas delayed producers from seeding for a few days but has since continued. Moisture conditions are good is most areas of the region and producers who were delaying seeding for some rain are now out in the fields. The most rainfall was reported in the Melfort and Porcupine Plain areas with 50 mm, the Bruno area reported 46 mm, the Humboldt area 45 mm and the Arborfield and Hudson Bay areas 35 mm.

Moisture conditions in the northeast have improved, with most of the crop, pasture and hay land having enough moisture to support plant germination and growth. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as eleven per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate and two per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent surplus, 76 per cent adequate and 16 per cent short and one per cent very short. Pasture conditions are rated as zero per cent excellent, 43 per cent good, 34 per cent fair 23 per cent poor and one per cent very poor.

Most of the crops are ahead to normal in their developmental stage for this time of year, with early seeded crops emerging. There were reports of crop damage in the form of frost and flooding over the week; low spots in some fields have become submerged. Producers will be out assessing damage over the next couple days.

Producers are busy seeding, spraying as wind conditions allow and waiting for pastures to green up enough to support cattle.

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