The province of Saskatchewan has released its first crop report of 2025 as the seeding season is underway and farmers are working through that.
They estimate that 18 per cent of Saskatchewan's 2025 crop has been planted. That's ahead of the five-year average of 10 per cent and the ten-year average of 12 per cent.
Regionally, the southwest is furthest ahead with 43 per cent seeded so far, with some emergence being noted. The northwest and southeast regions are also pulling ahead with 15 per cent and 14 per cent of seeding complete, respectively. Reports indicate that the west-central region is 11 per cent complete, with the east-central and northeast regions reporting nine per cent of seeding complete.
Pulse crops are the most completed crops so far, with lentils at 34 per cent seeded, field peas at 31 per cent and chickpeas at 28 per cent. Durum is at 33 per cent seeded, triticale at 31 per cent, barley at 19 per cent, and spring wheat at 13 per cent. Oats and canary seed both reported at four per cent seeding complete. Among oilseed crops, mustard leads at 21 per cent, followed by canola at 10 per cent and flax at six per cent. Perennial forage is reported at five per cent seeded. Reports for soybean seeding have not been completed yet.
Moisture was limited over the last week in many regions, which helped field operations commence. The highest reported rainfall was in the Alida area at 16mm, followed by the Lafleche area at 12mm.
Most provincial topsoil moisture levels are near adequate, though others are beginning to dry out. Topsoil moisture for cropland is currently rated at three per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate, 16 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hayland is rated at one per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate, 22 per cent short and six per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture conditions are reported at one per cent surplus, 68 per cent adequate, 23 per cent short and eight per cent very short.
Livestock producers, meanwhile, are in a worse spot for moisture and are hoping more comes through soon to top off water supplies. Spring runoff reports in late April showed levels were 30 per cent below normal, 55 per cent normal and 15 per cent above normal. Seventy-six per cent of crop reporters indicated that the amount of runoff received would be sufficient to replenish dugouts and other water bodies within their area. A notable report came in from the southeast with 52 per cent of respondents indicating that the amount of runoff may not replenish dugouts within their area.
Pasture conditions in late April were also a bit behind, with six per cent of pastures in excellent condition, 42 per cent in good condition, 36 per cent in fair condition, 13 per cent in poor condition, and three per cent in very poor condition.
The province reminds producers to stay safe as work continues with the seeding and calving seasons underway.