Seeding ahead of Sask. average: crop report

Seeding is ahead but crops are behind.

That’s the latest word from Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly crop report that comes out every Thursday.

It says seeding is almost complete at 94 per cent of crop in the ground, ahead of the province’s five-year average of 93 per cent for this time of year.

In the southwest and southeast regions of the province, it’s even further along at 98 per cent complete. Trailing behind is the east-central part of the province at 96 per cent and west-central at 95 per cent. Seeding in the northern regions of the province is a different story, at 88 per cent complete in the northwest and 84 per cent complete in the northeast.

The crop report also says significant rain is needed in much of Saskatchewan to help crops germinate and emerge and to replenish topsoil moisture.

The province says topsoil moisture conditions are deteriorating throughout southern Saskatchewan, due to persistent strong winds and a lack of moisture. In the southeast, there are concerns that crop and hay yields will be affected if rain is not received soon.

While seeding is ahead, crop development is lagging in much of the province with most crops behind their normal stages for this time of the year. The crop report says strong winds, a lack of moisture, frost and insects like flea beetles and cutworms were responsible for crop damage this week.

Farm equipment vs. power poles, lines

This week’s crop report also included information from SaskPower.

According to SaskPower, this year there has been 132 reports of farm equipment coming in contact with power poles or lines, with 109 of those incidents happening in May. None of those incidents resulted in injury.

SaskPower called the number high but on par with the past few years. The Crown is reminding farmers to be mindful of power lines, especially with new and bigger farm equipment. People are also reminded to call before they dig.