Saskatchewan's Ministry of Agriculture has released its first crop report of the season. So far, 18 per cent of the provincial crop is now in the ground. That’s ahead of the five-year average (2020-2024) of 10 per cent and the 10-year average (2015-2024) of 12 per cent.
Crop Extension Specialist Meghan Rosso says farmers are making good progress.
“The southwest region is the most advanced at 43 per cent seeded so far, with some of the first seeded crops starting to emerge already,” Rosso stated. “The northwest and southeast regions are also making good progress, with 15 per cent and 14 per cent of seeding complete, respectively. The West Central region is reporting 11 per cent seeding completion, and as we look to the East, Central, and Northeast regions, they are both reporting 9 per cent of seeding complete currently.”
Provincially, pulse crops are leading in seeding completion, with lentils currently 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 is reported at 31 per cent seeded, followed by barley at 19 per cent seeded and spring wheat at 13 per cent. Oats and canary seed are at four per cent, 21 per cent of the mustard, 10 per cent of the canola, and six per cent of the flax.
“Farmers have been able to seed into a decent amount of moisture.” Rosso says “Topsoil moisture conditions for crop land are rated at 3 per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate, 16 per cent short, and 3 per cent very short. Hay land is rated at 1 per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate, 22 per cent short, and 6 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture conditions are currently rated at 1 per cent surplus, 68 per cent adequate, 23 per cent short, and 8 per cent very short.”
She says most areas have had decent moisture; however, the driest area in the province is in the west-central region.”
Livestock producers would like to see some more moisture in the coming weeks to help fill dugouts and improve pasture conditions. Spring runoff in late April, was reported as 30 per cent below normal, 55 per cent normal, and 15 per cent above normal. The majority of crop reporters indicated that the amount of runoff received would be sufficient to replenish dugouts and other water bodies within their area. About 52 percent of crop reporters in the southwest indicated that the amount of runoff may not be sufficient to replenish dugouts in the region.
It won’t be long before producers will be turning animals out to pasture. Provincial stats for April show six per cent of pastures are in excellent condition, 42 per cent reported to be in good condition, 36 per cent reported as in fair condition, 13 per cent reported as poor, and three per cent very poor.
Overall, farmers are encouraged to monitor their fields closely and manage their resources effectively to ensure a successful growing season.
Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly crop report is available here.