Progress continues to be made with seeding in Saskatchewan. According to the latest Crop Report from the Ministry of Agriculture, 88 per cent is completed in the province.
The Humboldt area is slightly above the provincial mark with 89 per cent of seeding completed, while the northeastern region is 92 per cent completed, which is well above the five-year average of 75 per cent completed.
It’s estimated field peas are 100 per cent completed within the northeastern region, followed by lentils at 78 per cent and chickpeas at 38 per cent complete
With cereal crops, spring wheat is 99 per cent completed, barley is 97 per cent, oats are 95 per cent, canary seed is 92 per cent, durum is 89 per cent and triticale is 36 per cent complete.
For oilseed crops, canola is 94 per cent completed, 85 per cent for flax and 28 per cent for mustard. Soybeans are 33 per cent seeded in the region. Perennial forage is reported at 60 per cent of seeding completion in the region.
Very little rainfall was reported in the region over the past week, the highest amount recorded was in the Barrier Valley area. Producers are hoping for a significant amount of rain to help with crop development.
Lack of rainfall has affected moisture conditions. Topsoil moisture conditions have become short for the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is reported at 31 per cent adequate, 59 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. Hayland is reported at 28 per cent adequate, 54 per cent short and 18 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture conditions are reported at 27 per cent adequate, 56 per cent short and 17 per cent very short.
Heat and wind have also caused minor to moderate damage to crops and some areas with minor to severe damage due to dry conditions. There have also been some reports of frost damage in the region over the last week. There were also reports of damage related to flea beetles, wireworms and cutworms.
Over the next week, producers will be working to finish off seeding, moving cattle out to pasture and conducting herbicide applications.