The finish line is in sight for Saskatchewan producers. Seeding operations have made considerable advancements in the province over the past week, now sitting at 97 per cent complete, up from 88 per cent the week prior. This puts the 2025 seeding season on track with the five and 10-year averages of 95 and 96 per cent.
Producers in the southwest, west-central, and northeast are furthest along, with each region sitting at 99 per cent complete. The northwest trails slightly at 98 per cent with both the southeast and east-central regions hot on its heels at 95 per cent.
Progress is led by field peas, spring wheat, durum, barley, triticale, canola, lentils, mustard, flax and oats. Chickpeas, canary seed, soybeans, and perennial forage are furthest behind provincially.
Rainfall has been minimal over the past week, with many regions reporting little or no incoming moisture. The Eldon area received 11 millimetres (mm), with Reno and Medstead seeing nine mm each. Eight mm of precipitation landed in the Meadow Lake area.
Inadequate rainfall fueled the continual decline in topsoil moisture levels. Cropland moisture is rated at just one per cent surplus, 46 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short, and nine per cent very short.
It’s a similar story for hayland topsoil moisture levels, with one per cent reporting a surplus, 38 per cent adequate, 45 per cent short, and 16 per cent very short. One per cent of pastures report a surplus, 31 per cent as adequate, 48 per cent short, and 20 per cent very short.
Crop emergence is reported as good for much of the province, although producers are indicating spotty emergence in later seeded crops. Of the crops that have emerged, their condition is reported to be good or fair by the majority of producers.
Soybeans lead the pack for crop conditions in the realm of pulse crops, with 21 per cent rated excellent, 64 per cent good and 15 per cent fair. Lentils are in second place, at seven per cent excellent, 72 per cent good and 20 per cent fair.
Field peas are rated at seven per cent excellent, 68 per cent good and 24 per cent fair followed by chickpeas, at five per cent excellent, 81 per cent good and 14 per cent fair.
For cereal crops, durum is rated at nine per cent in excellent condition, 67 per cent good and 23 per cent fair, while oats are nine per cent excellent, 52 per cent good and 35 per cent fair. The trend continues with spring wheat, rated at eight per cent in excellent condition, 60 per cent good and 29 per cent fair, followed by barley at seven per cent in excellent condition, 60 per cent good and 30 per cent fair.
The majority of other cereal crops are rated between good to fair condition. Winter wheat is rated at six per cent in excellent condition, 52 per cent good and 36 per cent fair; fall rye is four per cent excellent, 52 per cent good and 29 per cent fair; canary seed is 10 per cent in excellent condition, 61 per cent good and 27 per cent fair, and finally triticale is 62 per cent good and 33 per cent fair.
A full 12 per cent of flax is currently rated as being in excellent condition, 62 per cent good, and 24 per cent fair. Canola trails slightly at seven per cent excellent, 50 per cent good, and 35 per cent fair. Of mustard crops, only two per cent are rated as excellent, 65 per cent as good, and 32 per cent fair.
Dry conditions, wind and heat were reported across the province causing minor crop damage overall. Flea beetles, cutworms, grasshoppers, and wireworms are another source of minor damage, with some producers taking control measures. Damage from other wildlife has also been minimal over the past week, but monitoring of gopher populations is an ongoing effort for some producers.
Seeding and spraying—when the weather permits—has kept many producers busy, along with rock picking, land rolling and moving cattle out to pasture and branding.
Producers are reminded to keep safety top of mind while working. For any crop or livestock questions, producers are encouraged to call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, toll free at 1-866-457-2377.