Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly crop report says 91 percent of seeding was done, as of Monday.
There is not much difference in seeding progress by region: southwest (95 percent), southeast (93 percent), west-central (92 percent), northwest (90 percent), northeast (87 percent) and east-central (86 percent).
Rain continues to be a top priority with patchy crop emergence in drier areas. Overall, emerged crops are in poor-to-good condition, depending on moisture.
Provincial topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated one percent surplus, 51 percent adequate, 36 percent short and 12 percent very short.
Showers brought varying amounts of rain over the past week. Some areas received a trace, while others (Humboldt and Esterhazy) had heavier downpours.
In general terms, the northeast region had the most rain over the past week. Examples include Tisdale (45 mm), Porcupine Plain (32 mm) and Melfort (23 mm). There was plenty of variability with Birch Hills (12 mm) and Kinistino (6 mm) receiving smaller amounts.
Hayland and pastures are in need of rain. Topsoil moisture is rated as 38 percent adequate, 44 percent short and 18 percent very short. Cattle producers in the driest areas are making contingency plans, such as seeding additional greenfeed.
You can check out the region-by-region crop report below:
SOUTHEAST (Carnduff, Estevan, Redvers, Moosomin, Kipling, Weyburn, Milestone, Moose Jaw, Regina, Radville and Lake Alma areas)
Seeding is nearly complete in the southeastern regions thanks to good conditions. Ninety-three per cent of the crop is now in the ground, up from 82 per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) seeding average of 83 per cent for this time of year.
Some areas saw rain throughout the week, although many areas of the region remain in need of rainfall to help crops emerge and hay land and pasture establish. Most areas received scattered showers, ranging from trace amounts to 36 mm in the Kipling area. The Carnduff area reported 16 mm of rain, the Frobisher area 14 mm, the Redvers area 18 mm, the Broadview and Fillmore areas 7 mm, the Glenavon area 24 mm, the Weyburn area 9 mm, the Vibank area 23 mm, the Briercrest area 13 mm, the Marquis area 33 mm, the Radville area 17 mm and the Ceylon area 25 mm. The Kipling area has received the most precipitation (48 mm) in the region since April 1.
Topsoil moisture conditions have slightly improved with the recent rain. However, many areas remain in need of significant rainfall and would welcome rain anytime. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 30 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and 24 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 17 per cent adequate, 78 per cent short and 35 per cent very short. There are concerns that if timely rain is not received throughout the growing season, current subsoil moisture levels will not be enough to support a crop.
Overall, emerged crops are in poor-to-good condition, depending on moisture received in the past few weeks. Emergence has been slower than normal and many crops are patchy in germination. The majority of crop damage this past week was due lack of moisture, strong winds, hail and insects. Some producers have been spraying for flea beetles and cutworms in canola.
Farmers are busy completing seeding, starting in-crop pesticide applications and hoping for rain.
SOUTHWEST (Coronach, Assiniboia,Ogema,Gravelbourg, Mossbank, Mortlach, Central Butte, Kyle, Swift Current, Shaunavon, Ponteix, Consul, Maple Creek and Leader)
Ninety-five per cent of the crop has now been seeded in the region, up from 72 per cent last week and ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) seeding average of 90 per cent for this time of year. Many producers have completed seeding with most expecting to be done in the next week.
Scattered thunderstorms and showers have brought varying amounts of moisture to the region. The Ponteix area reported the most rainfall this past week with 19 mm. The Limerick area reported 16 mm, the Gouldtown area 17 mm, the Mortlach area 10 mm and the Shaunavon and Maple Creek areas 1 mm. The Rockglen area has received the most precipitation (55 mm) in the region since April 1.
Dry and windy weather has continued to deteriorate topsoil moisture conditions in the region. Crops are suffering from a lack of moisture with a significant rain needed to encourage crop germination and pasture and hay land growth. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 34 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and 19 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 28 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and 26 per cent very short.
Crops are slow to emerge but are in fair-to-good condition. Drying winds and hot weather have been the leading causes of crop damage in the region. Pastures and hay land in the region have experienced limited growth due to lack of moisture and hot drying winds.
Farmers are busy finishing seeding, rolling pulse crops, and starting in-crop spraying.
EAST-CENTRAL (Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville, Kelvington, Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet)
Eighty-six per cent of the acres are now seeded in the region, significantly up from 53 per cent seeded last week. This is ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) seeding average of 75 per cent for this time of year. Some producers have finished seeding in the area with others expected to be done within the next week.
The region experienced many scattered showers and warm temperatures throughout the week that has allowed crops to begin germinating. Rainfall ranged from very small amounts to 49 mm in the Esterhazy area. The Rama and Raymore areas reported 30 mm of rain, the Lumsden area 45 mm, the Kelvington area 10 mm, the Allan area 6 mm and the Jedburgh area 14 mm. The Craik area has received the most precipitation (83 mm) in the region since April 1.
Topsoil moisture conditions have improved slightly due to the many scattered showers, but additional moisture is still needed. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 2 per cent surplus, 61 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and 5 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 51 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 8 per cent very short.
Crops are beginning to emerge due to recent rain and warm weather, but are still behind the normal developmental stages for this time of year. Additional moisture is needed to replenish pastures and hay land as some producers are still supplementing feed for their cattle. There were reports of spraying due to flea beetle pressure on canola fields in the region. There was minimal crop damage this week with the majority caused by a lack of moisture, wind and hail.
Producers are busy seeding, starting in-crop herbicide applications and moving cattle to pasture.
WEST-CENTRAL (Hanley, Outlook, Loreburn, Saskatoon, Arelee, Rosetown, Kindersley, Eston, Major, Kerrobert, Macklin, Wilkie and Biggar areas
Seeding progress continues to quickly advance in the region as 92 per cent of the crop is now seeded, significantly up from 66 per cent last week. This remains well ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) seeding average of 81 per cent for this time of year. Most producers expect to wrap up seeding in the coming weeks.
Rainfall was welcomed in the region, although some areas did not receive any. Rainfall amounts ranged from none to 31 mm in the Eyebrow area. The Conquest area reported 11 mm, the Hanley area 3 mm, the Perdue and Biggar areas 5 mm, the Sonningdale area 23 mm, the Marengo 1 mm, the Harris area 8 mm, the Major area 4 mm and the Unity area 10 mm. The Perdue area has received the most precipitation (64 mm) in the region since April 1.
Topsoil moisture conditions have significantly deteriorated in the region despite recent rainfall. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 56 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 47 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and nine per cent very short.
Crops are slowly emerging, although germination has been patchy. The majority of emerged crops are in poor-to-good condition depending on moisture received in the past few weeks. Most crop damage is attributed to lack of moisture, strong winds, hail and insects such as flea beetles and cutworms. Some producers have been spraying insecticides when warranted when economic thresholds are reached.
Farmers are busy finishing up seeding, rolling pulses, applying pesticides and hoping for rain.
NORTHEAST (Hudson Bay, Tisdale, Melfort, Carrot River, Humboldt, Kinistino, Cudworth Aberdeen, Prince Albert, Choiceland and Paddockwood)
Despite a few rain delays in the region, producers now have 87 per cent of the crop seeded. This is up from 77 per cent last and is well ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) seeding average of 69 per cent for this time of year. If the weather is favourable, most producers will be wrapping up in the next two weeks.
Rainfall last week ranged from small amounts to 72 mm in the Humboldt area. Most areas received large amounts of rainfall that will help replenish the topsoil and allow hay land and pasture to establish. The Porcupine Plain area reported 35 mm of rain last week, the Tisdale area 45 mm, the Arborfield 14 mm, the Nipawin area 20 mm, the Bruno area 32 mm, the Vonda area 25 mm, the Melfort area 23 mm, the Birch Hills area 12 mm and the Garrick area 33 mm. The Humboldt area has received the most precipitation (87 mm) in the region since April 1.
Topsoil moisture conditions have improved in the region, although some fields now have excess moisture. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate and 14 per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 67 per cent adequate and 33 per cent short.
Crops are slowly emerging and are in poor-to-good condition, depending on moisture received over the past few weeks. The majority of crop damage this past week is attributed to localized flooding, strong winds and insects such as flea beetles in canola.
Farmers are busy seeding, moving cattle and starting in-crop pesticide applications.
NORTHWEST (Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River, Hafford, Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster)
Seeding is quickly advancing in the region as 90 per cent of the crop is now in the ground, up significantly from 65 per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) seeding average of 79 per cent for this time of year. Most producers expect to complete seeding in the next week if the weather is favourable.
Like much of the province, scattered showers were received across the region that will help crops germinate and hay land and pasture establish. Rainfall ranged from small amounts to 42 mm in the Shellbrook area. The Radisson area reported 23 mm of rain, the Speers, Glaslyn and Neilburg areas 6 mm, the Duck Lake area 25 mm, the North Battleford area 29 mm, the Debden area 31 mm, the St. Walburg area 20 mm, the Frenchman Butte area 14 mm and the Meadow Lake area 38 mm. The North Battleford area has received the most precipitation (49 mm) in the region since April 1.
Topsoil moisture conditions have slightly improved thanks to the recent rain. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 67 per cent adequate, 31 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 52 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and two per cent very short.
Crop emergence has been slow and is patchy in many areas, although the majority of emerged crops so far are in poor-to-good condition. The majority of crop damage this past week was due to lack of moisture, hail, strong winds and insects. Some producers have been spraying for flea beetles.
Farmers are busy completing seeding, starting in-crop pesticide applications and moving cattle.