According to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture's first weekly Crop Report of the season, for the week of April 29th to May 5th, 2025, spring seeding is well underway across the province.
While April showers brought larger amounts of moisture to some areas within the region, the southeast was able to make good progress and is currently reporting 14 per cent of seeding complete. This is ahead of the five-year average (2020-2024) of nine per cent for the region, and just behind the provincial average of 18 per cent.
Of the crops seeded, chickpeas are the furthest along at 34 per cent seeding completion, closely followed by durum at 33 per cent. Field peas and lentils have reached 22 per cent and 17 per cent seeding completion respectively. Oats are reported at 13 per cent complete, spring wheat at 11 per cent and barley at seven per cent. Mustard currently sits at five per cent complete, followed by canola at four per cent.
Rainfall was scattered across the region over the last week. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Alida area at 16 mm, followed by the Glenavon area at 10 mm, and the Avonlea area at nine mm.
Currently, cropland topsoil moisture within the region is rated as six per cent surplus, 86 per cent adequate, and eight per cent short. Hay land topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 83 per cent adequate, 14 per cent short, and one per cent very short. Pasture is rated at 86 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and two per cent very short.
Spring runoff was reported in late April, with regional data indicating 21 per cent below normal, 67 per cent normal, and 12 per cent above normal. 84 per cent of the crop reporters indicated that the amount of runoff received would be sufficient to replenish dugouts and other water bodies within their area.
Additionally, pasture conditions were also reported in late April, with regional data indicating that six per cent of pastures within the region are reported as excellent, 40 per cent are reported as good, 33 per cent reported as in fair condition, 16 per cent reported as poor and five per cent very poor.
Within the region, producers will continue with their seeding operations, with some areas just starting, along with pre-seed spraying for weed control, harrowing, rock picking, calving, fixing fences, and starting to move cattle out to pasture.
With the warm, dry weather, producers across the province are busy in their fields with seeding, pre-seed spraying for weed control, harrowing, and rock picking. Livestock producers are busy with calving with some producers finishing up for the season. As cattle are being moved out to pasture, producers are also checking and fixing fences.
As spring progresses, producers are reminded to be safe during their field activities and watch for overhead powerlines while moving equipment in fields and farmyards this spring.