Seeding progress has doubled over the past week, but every part of the province is looking for rain.

Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly crop report estimates 70 percent of seeding was complete, as of Monday.

The southeast (82 percent) has the most seeded with the northeast moving into second spot (77 percent). The remaining regions are southwest (72 percent), west-central (66 percent), northwest (65 percent) and east-central (53 percent).

Crops are emerging slowly and in good condition in areas with adequate topsoil moisture. There is patchy and uneven germination in drier locations.

On a provincial basis, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 47 percent adequate, 39 percent short and 14 percent very short.

“Every little bit of rain helps, but of course, the more the better,” says Shannon Friesen, a crops extension specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. “As long as you can keep those top couple of inches moist, that should be enough to really get that crop off to a good start.”

The driest region is the southeast with cropland topsoil moisture at 19 percent adequate, 55 percent short and 26 percent very short.

Friesen says pastures across the province are in need of rain as well.

“A lot of pastures have been dry for a very long time. We didn’t get the normal rain last fall and for the most part most of our pastures are in poor condition.”

Pasture conditions are rated as 22 percent good, 40 percent fair, 28 percent poor and 10 percent very poor.

You can check out the region-by-region crop report below:

Crop District 1 -Carnduff, Estevan, Redvers, Moosomin and Kipling areas;
Crop District 2 Weyburn, Milestone, Moose Jaw, Regina and Qu Appelle areas;
Crop District 3ASE Radville and Lake Alma areas

Significant progress was made in the region as 82 per cent of the crop is now seeded, up from 49 per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) seeding average of 59 per cent for this time of year. Many producers have wrapped up seeding operations and many more expect to finish up in the coming week.

Very little rainfall was reported in the region with most areas reporting only trace amounts. The Kipling and Indian Head areas reported 8 mm, the Grenfell area 11 mm, the Glenavon area two mm, the Wilcox area 3 mm and the Caron area 13 mm. The Regina area has received the most precipitation (25 mm) in the region since April 1.

With the lack of rain, strong winds and warm temperatures, topsoil moisture conditions continue to deteriorate. Significant rainfall will be needed in the coming weeks for crops to emerge and for hay crops to establish. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 19 per cent adequate, 55 per cent short and 26 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 13 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 48 per cent very short.

Crop emergence has been slow and patchy due to the dry conditions. The majority of crops are either at or behind their normal developmental stages for this time of year. Crop damage this past week was caused by strong winds, warm temperatures and lack of moisture. There were reports of frost as well as hail but little damage is expected as most crops have not yet emerged. Flea beetles are out in some canola fields.

Rainfall would be beneficial to pastures and hay land in the region as growth has been limited. Pasture conditions are rated as five per cent good, 33 per cent fair, 35 per cent poor and 27 per cent very poor.

Farmers are busy seeding, rolling pulse crops, picking rocks and controlling weeds if necessary.

Crop District 3ASW Coronach, Assiniboia and Ogema areas; Crop District 3AN Gravelbourg, Mossbank, Mortlach and Central Butte areas;
Crop District 3B Kyle, Swift Current , Shaunavon and Ponteix areas;
Crop District 4 Consul, Maple Creek and Leader areas

Seventy-two per cent of the crop is now seeded in the region, up from 45 per cent last week and just slightly ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) seeding average of 70 per cent for this time of year. While some producers have finished seeding, many more expect to be done in the coming weeks.

Scattered showers brought varying amounts of rainfall to the region with the Mortlach area reporting the most (17 mm). The Eyebrow and Webb areas reported 1 mm, the Shaunavon and Vanguard areas 15 mm, the Kyle area 3 mm, the Consul area 6 mm and the Ponteix area two mm. The Rockglen area has received the most precipitation (45 mm) in the region since April 1.

Topsoil moisture conditions continue to rapidly deteriorate in the region from strong winds and lack of moisture. Significant rain is needed to help crops germinate and emerge and to develop pastures and hay land. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 49 per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and 21 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 33 per cent adequate, 46 per cent short and 21 per cent very short.

Most emerged crops in the area are in good condition, although emergence and germination has been slow and patchy. The majority of crops are either at or behind normal developmental stages for this time of year and will need rain to fully develop. Crop damage this past week was due to strong winds and lack of moisture.

Pastures and hay land in the region have limited growth and rainfall would be beneficial.

Pasture conditions are rated as 29 per cent good, 40 per cent fair, 29 per cent poor and two per cent very poor.

Farmers are busy seeding, rolling pulse crops and controlling weeds if necessary.

Crop District 5 Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas;
Crop District 6A Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas

Seeding progress has more than doubled in the region as 53 per cent of the crop is now in the ground. This is up from 24 per cent last week and is ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) seeding average of 48 per cent for this time of year. Early-seeded crops are emerging and some pastures are finally starting to develop.

Much of the region received welcomed rainfall that will help crops germinate and establish. Rainfall reported ranged from very small amounts to 27 mm in the Craik area. The Langenburg area reported 17 mm of rain, the Hubbard and Wynyard areas 14 mm, the Jedburgh area 16 mm, the Ituna and Kelliher areas 18 mm, the Rose Valley area 13 mm, the Lumsden area 8 mm and the Foam Lake area 12 mm of rain. The Craik area has received the most precipitation (43 mm) in the region since April 1.

Despite the recent rain, fields are drying quickly with the warm temperatures and strong winds. Additional moisture will be needed soon to alleviate dry conditions. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 44 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 15 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 27 per cent adequate, 53 per cent short and 20 per cent very short.

The majority of crops are either at or behind their normal developmental stages for this time of year. Most crop damage this week was due to lack of moisture and strong winds. There were reports of light frost but damage is expected to be minimal as most crops have not yet emerged. With the drying topsoil and lack of rainfall, some producers have delayed the seeding of smaller seeded crops such as canola.

Rainfall would be beneficial to pastures and hay land in the region as growth has been limited. Pasture conditions are rated as 11 per cent good, 34 per cent fair, 43 per cent poor and 12 per cent very poor.

Farmers are busy seeding, picking rocks, fixing fences and controlling weeds if necessary.

Crop Districts 6B Hanley, Outlook, Loreburn, Saskatoon and Arelee areas;
Crop District 7A Rosetown, Kindersley, Eston, Major;
Crop District 7B – Kerrobert, Macklin, Wilkie and Biggar areas

Significant seeding progress was made this week in the region thanks to good field conditions. Sixty-six per cent of the crop is now in the ground, significantly up from just 26 per cent last week and ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) seeding average of 59 per cent for this time of year. Some producers have finished seeding while others will need another week or two of good weather.

Some areas received moisture that will help crops germinate and pastures develop. Reported rainfall ranges from trace amounts to 28 mm in the Biggar area. The Outlook area reported 10 mm, the Broderick area 5 mm, the Smiley area one mm, the Sonningdale area 11 mm, the Macklin area 13 mm and 26 mm in the Harris and Perdue areas. The Harris area has received the most precipitation (49 mm) in both the region and province since April 1.

Even with the welcomed moisture, topsoil moisture conditions have slightly worsened.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 70 per cent adequate and 30 per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 46 per cent adequate, 51 per cent short and three per cent very short.

The majority of crops are either at or behind their normal developmental stages for this time of year. Most crop damage this past week was due to lack of moisture and strong winds. With the drying topsoil and lack of rainfall, some producers have delayed the seeding of smaller seeded crops such as canola.

Additional rainfall would be beneficial to pastures and hay land in the region as growth has been limited. Pasture conditions are rated as 30 per cent good, 46 per cent fair, 15 per cent poor and nine per cent very poor.

Farmers are busy seeding, rolling pulse crops, moving cattle and controlling weeds if necessary.

Crop District 8 Hudson Bay, Tisdale, Melfort, Carrot River, Humboldt, Kinistino, Cudworth and Aberdeen areas;
Crop District 9AE Prince Albert, Choiceland and Paddockwood areas

The northeast made significant strides last week as seeding progress nearly tripled. Seventy-seven per cent of the crop is now in the ground, up from 28 per cent last week. Thanks to optimal field conditions, the region is well ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) seeding average of just 38 per cent for this time of year. Some fields that were previously wet have dried enough for them to be seeded for the first time in a few years.

Crops are slow to emerge and will need moisture in the coming weeks to help them establish. Varying amounts of rainfall were reported last week, ranging from trace amounts to 13 mm in the Arborfield area. The Porcupine Plain area reported 3 mm of rain, the Nipawin area 4 mm, the Humboldt area 7 mm and the Prince Albert, Garrick and Bruno areas two mm. The Arborfield area has received the most precipitation (28 mm) in the region since April 1.

Strong winds, warm temperatures and little rainfall are drying many fields up in the region.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 55 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and five per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 48 per cent adequate, 48 per cent short and four per cent very short.

The majority of crops are either at or behind their normal developmental stages for this time of year. Most crop damage this past week was due to lack of moisture and strong winds. Flea beetles are out in canola fields and producers are assessing for damage on emerged crops.

Pastures continue to be slow to develop and rainfall would be welcomed. Pasture conditions are rated as 38 per cent good, 44 per cent fair, 17 per cent poor and one per cent very poor.

Farmers are busy seeding, fixing fences, picking rocks and controlling weeds if necessary.

Crop District 9AW Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River and Hafford areas;
Crop District 9B Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster areas
For the Period May 15 to 21, 2018

Producers in the region have made tremendous progress this past week with 65 per cent of the crop now in the ground. This is up from 24 per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) seeding average of 51 per cent for this time of year. Some producers have wrapped up operations while others will need another couple of weeks.

Some areas received rain that will be of benefit to crops, pastures and hay land. Rainfall ranged from nil to 18 mm in the Meadow Lake area. The North Battleford area reported 4 mm, the Neilburg area 5 mm, the Frenchman Butte area 3 mm, the Hafford area 7 mm and the Debden area 8 mm. The Hafford area has received the most precipitation (41 mm) in the region since April 1.

Like most of the province, recent strong winds, warm temperatures and lack of moisture have led to dry fields. Rainfall would be welcomed across the region. 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 46 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 12 per cent very short.

The majority of crops are either at or behind their normal developmental stages for this time of year. Most crop damage this past week was due to lack of moisture and strong winds. Crop germination has been slow and emergence uneven.

Additional rainfall would be beneficial to pastures and hay land in the region as growth has been relatively limited. Pasture conditions are rated as 28 per cent good, 45 per cent fair, 16 per cent poor and 11 per cent very poor.

Farmers are busy seeding, moving cattle and controlling weeds if necessary.