The western side of the province continued to lead the pack looking at last week's crop report.
Here in west-central Saskatchewan producers are 94 per cent done seeding as notable progress continued during the week with a 13 per cent rise from last week, pushing the region well ahead of the five-year average of 86 per cent, and current provincial average of 88 per cent.
Related Stories:
- Sask. farmers ahead of average as seeding nears completion
- Prairie farmers may face a potential rust threat this year
Crops virtually 100 per cent seeded are field peas, chickpeas and triticale, lentils just behind at 99 per cent. Each of spring wheat, durum and canary seed are all at 96 per cent seeded checking on cereal crops, compared to oats at 69 per cent complete. Oilseeds see mustard leading the way at 96 per cent, canola at 93 per cent, and flax at 91 per cent. Rounding out the progress list, soybeans are 50 per cent seeded around the region, and perennial forage is at 78 per cent complete.
Crop development for the area is showing fall cereals rated at 100 per cent normal. Lagging behind are spring cereals at 83 per cent normal (nine per cent ahead and eight per cent behind), pulse crops at 81 per cent normal (11 per cent ahead and eight per cent behind), oilseeds at 84 per cent normal (six per cent ahead and 10 per cent behind), perennial forage at 80 per cent normal (seven per cent ahead and 13 per cent behind), and finally annual forage at 84 per cent normal crop development (16 per cent behind).
Variable rainfall for the area once again this week resulted in the Harris area leading the way at 15 mm, the region around Manitou Lake closer to 14 mm. Biggar and area got 10 mm while Hillsdale saw eight mm hit the soil.
With topsoil moisture conditions "becoming short" according to the recent report, producers will no doubt welcome in rain once seeding is complete. Current moisture levels read cropland topsoil at 47 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and six per cent very short. Hayland is 32 per cent adequate, 56 per cent short and 12 per cent very short, and pasture topsoil is coming in at 28 per cent adequate, 57 per cent short and 15 per cent very short.
Crop damage is already being noticed in some areas of west-central Saskatchewan after high winds this past week. Only minor to moderate damage was noted, other damage during the week coming from reports of cutworms and flea beetle activity.
Highs in the low to mid 20's are expected today, a sharp drop off from the highs above 30 to end last week. Finishing seeding will be the main focus for producers this week if the ground stays dry, hoping for rain, though with things nearly complete the tasks will shift to spraying and other on-the-farm tasks as crops continue to grow.