Seeding on par for Sask. average: crop report

Saskatchewan farmers have 81 per cent of this year’s crop in the ground, according to the latest crop report.

The report, which details the period from May 23 to 29, said that’s on par with the five-year average for the province, which is 82 per cent.

But progress depends on where in Saskatchewan you ask.

Southeast Saskatchewan is furthest along at 95 per cent of crop in the ground, while the southwest part of the province is second at 94 per cent. West-central and east-central Saskatchewan have 80 per cent and 79 per cent of crop seeded, respectively.

Northwest Saskatchewan has 76 per cent seeded while the northeast is at the bottom at just 43 per cent.

The province said that’s because of wet field conditions and frequent rain conditions in the northeast.

Meanwhile, southwest Saskatchewan could use some of that rain.

Chaun Holfield farms near Herbert, just east of Swift Current. He’s concerned about his canola in the face of a lack of moisture.

“The top end’s drying out and the flea beetles are starting to put pressure on the canola,” he said. “We could probably hold on for a week or so. The canola’s going to start hurting pretty bad if we don’t get any here pretty quick.”

Holfield said he’s hoping rain comes soon.

“A nice, settle-in three-day rain soaker would solve a lot of problems and make things look a lot better.”

This is the progress of specific crops in the province:

• Lentils – 96 per cent 
• Field peas – 95 per cent
• Durum – 92 per cent
• Soybeans – 91 per cent
• Spring wheat – 81 per cent
• Flax – 80 per cent
• Mustard – 78 per cent
• Canola – 76 per cent
• Barley – 73 per cent

— With files from Kevin Martel.