The government of Saskatchewan's latest crop report shows that producers made significant seeding progress over the last week.
According to their reports, seeding is currently 49 per cent complete across the province, up 31 per cent from last week. The number is way ahead of both the five-year average of 32 per cent and the 10-year average of 34 per cent.
Seeding progress was seen in all regions in Saskatchewan over the past week. The southwest region continues to lead in seeding progress with 76 per cent complete. The northwest region sits in second at 49 per cent complete. The southeast, west-central and northeast regions all report they are 43 per cent complete seeding. The east-central region is reporting 33 per cent complete.
Pulse crops are first among all seeded, with 78 per cent of field peas seeded, 71 per cent of lentils and 65 per cent of chickpeas. Cereals are close behind with Triticale leading the pack at 73 per cent, followed by durum at 65 per cent, spring wheat at 53 per cent, barley at 45 per cent, oats at 28 per cent and canary seed at 23 per cent. Oilseed crops have also gained momentum, as mustard leads in seeding completion at 66 per cent, followed by canola at 29 per cent and flax at 28 per cent. Perennial forage is reported at 25 per cent seeded. Soybeans are behind the rest for seeding completion at 14 per cent.
The week saw fairly limited rainfall throughout the province. The highest reported rainfall was received in the Marengo area at 14mm, followed by the Wadena area at 13 mm. Most other areas reported trace to limited rainfall for the week.
Topsoil moisture continues to slip through the fingers of Saskatchewan as warm, dry and windy conditions continued. Currently, topsoil moisture for cropland is rated at one per cent surplus, 61 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short, and three per cent very short. Hayland is rated at 51 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short, and seven per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture conditions are reported at 42 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short, and eight per cent very short.
Similar barriers to moisture are being seen in the livestock sector, with fifty-four per cent of producers estimating there are no shortages of on-farm surface water supplies for livestock occurring or anticipated, with 32 per cent estimating that shortages may occur in one to two months, depending on future moisture conditions.
Twelve per cent of producers are currently indicating that moderate shortages are occurring with two per cent reporting severe shortages occurring. Currently, 84 per cent of producers are not concerned with water quality for their livestock at this time.
Conditions are likely to change quickly as swathes of Saskatchewan are now seeing heavy rainfall, with colder temperatures also likely to slow down any moisture from disappearing.