Hot, dry weather over much of the province last week resulted in a large increase in seeded area.

Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly crop report says 80 per cent of provincial seeding was complete, as of Monday, which remains behind the  10-year of average of 92 per cent.

Four of the six regions are in the high 80 per cent or low 90 per cent range. The southwest is 91 per cent seeded, west-central 90 per cent, southeast 87 per cent and northwest 86 per cent seeded.

There is still some work remaining in east-central and northeast regions at 67 per cent and 63 per cent seeded respectively.

This is the seeding progress by crop: peas (96 percent), lentils (94 per cent), durum (90 per cent), spring wheat (85 per cent), barley (77 per cent), canola (73 per cent), flax (71 per cent and oats (63 per cent)

The majority of emerging crops are in good to fair conditions. The detailed chart covering each region is below.

Rainfall was variable with the highest amount in the CJWW listening area at Luseland with 54 millimetres–or two inches last week. Provincial cropland topsoil moisture is rated 8 per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate, nine per cent short and one per cent very short.

The strong wind made for extremely challenging spring conditions, resulting in herbicide application delays. Minor damage from flea beetle, cutworms and wireworms was reported. The northeast region was the only area not to experience minor to moderate gopher damage.

This is an interview with Muenster-area farmer George Hinz about conditions on his farm located a little more than an hour east of Saskatoon. It was recorded on Thursday morning.