Farmers across southeast Saskatchewan made significant progress in the past week, with 95 per cent of seeding now complete. That’s up from 80 per cent the week before and is on par with the region’s five-year average of 94 per cent. This is just behind the provincial mark of 97 per cent complete as well, with the southwest, west-central and northeast at 99 per cent complete.
According to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s weekly crop report, many crops, including field peas, lentils, spring wheat, durum, and canary seed, are now fully or nearly seeded. Barley leads the remaining crops at 96 per cent completion, followed closely by canola at 94 per cent. Perennial forage crops and triticale are the furthest behind, sitting at 59 and 56 per cent completion, respectively.
Very little rain fell across the southeast over the past week, with only three millimetres reported in the Mount Pleasant area. As a result, topsoil moisture levels have declined somewhat, although most areas remain in relatively good shape.
Current cropland topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 76 per cent adequate, and 19 per cent short. Hay and pasture land are showing a bit more stress, with hayland rated seven per cent surplus, 65 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short, four per cent very short Meanwhile, pasture land is rated as eight per cent surplus, 65 per cent adequate, 22 per cent short, and five per cent very short
Crop conditions across the region remain mostly rated as good to excellent. However, there are some reports of fair conditions in select areas. Producers have noted minor to moderate crop damage due to wind, and some localized areas have experienced stress from excess moisture.
More widespread concerns stem from hot and dry conditions, which have led to increased reports of crop damage. Flea beetles and cutworms are causing minor to moderate damage, and producers are also keeping a close eye on potential pressure from grasshoppers, gophers, and waterfowl.
As seeding wraps up, producers are shifting their focus toward in-crop spraying, weather permitting, as well as land rolling, rock picking, and moving the last of the livestock out to pasture.