Government of Saskatchewan
Submitted
Dry conditions this week have allowed farmers to nearly complete seeding in all regions of the province. Ninety-seven per cent of the crop is seeded, which is ahead the five-year average (2016-2020) for this time of year of 92 per cent.
Ninety-eight per cent of the crop is seeded in the southeast, west-central, northeast and northwest regions, 96 per cent in the southwest and 94 per cent in the east-central.
Provincially, ninety-nine per cent of the field peas, canary seed and chickpeas, 98 per cent of the durum and spring wheat, 96 per cent of the barley, flax, canola and soybeans, 95 percent of lentils and 92 percent of the oats have been seeded to date.
There were small precipitation events throughout the province this week. The Cando area reported the most with 23 mm of precipitation, the Kindersley area reported 20 mm, the Spruce Home area reported 15 mm, the Earl Grey area reported 12 mm and the Rhein area reported 10 mm. This rain was very welcome but more will be needed soon.
Minimal precipitation and strong winds have reduced topsoil moisture conditions in all regions of the province. Rainfall received two weeks ago has helped with pasture conditions in the province, but more is needed. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as zero per cent surplus, 72 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as zero per cent surplus, 58 per cent adequate, 29 per cent short and 13 per cent very short.
The majority of crop conditions this week are good. Smaller seed crops, such as canola and mustard, are rated as fair to good. This is mainly due to reduced germination caused by winds and lack of moisture as well as flea beetle pressure. The moisture received over the previous two weeks has allowed later seeded crops to emerge more evenly and earlier seeded crops are now able to develop further. Most crop damage this week was due to strong dry winds, dry soil conditions, flea beetles and gophers.
Now that seeding is almost wrapped up, farmers are busying spraying herbicides, assessing possible frost damage, scouting for early season pests and moving cattle to pasture.
Northeast Saskatchewan
A lot of progress was made this week and seeding is 98 per cent complete. This is up from 85 per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) for this time of year of 82 per cent. Ninety-nine per cent of the field peas and spring wheat, 98 per cent of barley, flax and canary seed and 97 per cent of oats and canola have been seed in the region.
Parts of the region received light rain showers this week, which was welcome. The Spruce Home area reported the most with 15 mm, the Lake Lenore and Tisdale areas five mm and the Garrick, Humboldt and Bruno areas reported three mm.
Good moisture levels have been maintained in the region due to light precipitation and cooler weather this week. With the recent rains, crop emergence has improved and growth has quickened with the warmer weather. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 88 per cent adequate and 10 per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 78 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and two per cent very short.
Most crops are in good or fair condition in the northeast region; some reseeding of canola is occurring where frost damage was the worst. Crop damage this week was due to wind damaging young seedlings, flea beetles and light frosts.
Producers are busy seeding, spraying when the weather permits, scouting for early season pests and picking rocks.
Northwest Saskatchewan
Seeding is 98 per cent complete, which is up from 87 per cent last week and ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) for this time of year of 85 per cent. In the region, 99 per cent of field peas, spring wheat, durum and canola, 96 per cent of barley and 90 per cent of oats have been planted.
Very little rain was received in the region this week. The Mayfair, St. Walburg and Frenchman Butte areas reported the most with three mm and the Barthel and Meadow Lake areas reported two mm. More precipitation is needed as soils will begin to rapidly dry out during the hot days in the forecast.
Pasture conditions have slightly improved in the region with the recent rains over the past couple weeks but growth is still slow. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate, 18 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 60 per cent adequate, 29 per cent short and 11 per cent very short.
In general, crop development is behind due to cooler temperatures earlier in the season, but this should improve with recent weather. Warm temperatures and good moisture conditions are supporting crop growth and crops are germinating and emerging uniformly. The majority of crops are in good condition, with some small areas of the region seeing some reseeding of canola. The crop damage this week that was reported was due to wind, flea beetles and light frosts.
Producers are busy seeding green feed, spraying when possible, moving cattle to pasture and assessing any damage.
