Saskatchewan farmers seeding crop under summer conditions

It was a decent seeding week in most areas of Saskatchewan with 52 per cent of the crop in the ground as of Monday—-but farmers are still well behind the 10-year average of 77 per cent.

The southwest has 74 per cent of seeding complete with the west-central region slipping into second spot at 69 percent. The southeast is 61 percent seeded, northwest 55 and then its drops down to 26 percent seeded in the east-central region and 25 percent in the northeast.

These are the seeding progress estimates for the various crops.

74 per cent for durum;
52 per cent for spring wheat;
50 per cent for barley;
45 per cent for triticale;
36 per cent for canary seed; and
26 per cent for oats.

Pulse crops

77 per cent for field peas;
76 per cent for lentils; and
55 per cent for chickpeas.

Oilseed crops

56 per cent for mustard;
38 per cent for canola; and
34 per cent for flax.

Perennial forages

23 per cent.

Rainfall varied across the province this past week, with the highest amount reported in the Martin area at 60 millimetres (mm). The Craik area received 59 mm, the Fertile Belt area received 45 mm, while the Stanley and Abernethy areas received 40 mm, respectively.

Overall, topsoil moisture levels remained relatively stable, despite some areas receiving precipitation alongside high temperatures and windy conditions.

Cropland topsoil moisture is:

19 per cent surplus;
70 per cent adequate; and
11 per cent short.

Hayland topsoil moisture is:

14 per cent surplus;
70 per cent adequate; and
16 per cent short.

Pasture topsoil moisture is:

Nine per cent surplus;
68 per cent adequate;
20 per cent short; and
Three per cent very short.

Crop development varies due to localized weather, leading to differences in temperature and moisture. Currently, fall cereals are at 58 per cent of normal development, with one per cent ahead and 41 per cent behind in development. Spring cereals are 37 per cent normal, 63 per cent behind. Pulse crops are 45 per cent normal and 55 per cent behind. Oilseeds are at 27 per cent of their normal stage of development and 73 per cent behind. Perennial forage is 50 per cent at normal development, with two per cent ahead and 48 per cent behind. Annual forage is at 39 per cent normal development, with two per cent ahead and 59 per cent behind.

Crop development remains generally behind across all categories, with minimal acres ahead of normal. Oilseeds and spring-seeded crops are showing the greatest delays, while fall cereals and perennial forage are closer to expected stages.

(Above photo: courtesy of SwiftCurrentonline)