Despite widespread rainfall over the past week, producers in southeast Saskatchewan have made steady progress with spring seeding. According to the latest crop report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, 63 per cent of crops have been seeded in the region, slightly behind the provincial average of 72 per cent, but ahead of the five-year regional average of 58 per cent.
Crops Extension Specialist Tyce Masich noted that producers are generally optimistic despite the recent delays.
“Seeding is progressing along nicely in the southeast, and producers are pretty happy with progress so far,” Masich said. “There was quite a bit of rain throughout most of the southeast this past week, which many producers are satisfied with as well.”
The heaviest rainfall was reported in the Lampman area, which recorded 139 mm. The Oxbow area received 104 mm, and Frobisher saw 100 mm. Other areas, such as Carnduff and Wapella, also saw significant precipitation, recording 93 mm and 87 mm respectively.
That kind of moisture has been a double-edged sword. While beneficial in the longer term, it has temporarily halted field work in some locations.
“There were definitely quite a few rain delays reported this past week in seeding,” Masich explained. “If producers had dry fields, they were happy to see the rain, but... kind of east of Estevan there, they got over 100 millimeters of rainfall, which is a substantial amount, so producers are hoping for some dry weather so they can get back in the field and wrap up seeding.”
Moisture levels across the region have improved substantially. Cropland topsoil moisture is now rated as 27 per cent surplus, 70 per cent adequate, and just three per cent short. Hay and pasture land are also reporting high moisture availability, with similar ratings.
The impact of the rain will vary depending on location and soil conditions.
“It’s definitely a play-it-by-ear, day-by-day situation,” Masich said. “If you have a heavier clay type of soil, which I know around Weyburn, you guys have a lot of those, it could take a couple of extra days. But I just encourage farmers to check their fields every day and assess whether you can get out and seed again or not.”