Seeding continues across Saskatchewan as producers welcome rain

Seeding has progressed in Saskatchewan, despite the steady rain over the last week, so that 86 per cent of crops are now in.

The latest crop report for Saskatchewan says producers are ahead of the five-year average of 77 per cent for this time of year. All regions were able to continue with seeding through the rain with the moisture contributing to better germination and emergence in many areas of Saskatchewan.

Seeding is furthest along in the southwest, where producers are at 91 per cent. In west-central, seeding is at 89 per cent while it is at 87 per cent in the northwest.

The east side of the province is not far behind with the southeast at 86 per cent, the northeast at 85 per cent and the east-central area at 77 per cent.

Seeding will be delayed for some producers where rainfall was especially high. Areas that recorded high rainfalls include Limerick at 116 millimetres, Indian Head at 108 mm and Odessa at 110 mm.

Moisture conditions were benefitted by the cool, cloudy days as well as the rain. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated at six per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate, 11 per cent short and three per cent very short.

Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 66 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and four per cent very short.

Pasture conditions are at zero per cent excellent, 17 per cent good, 39 per cent fair, 34 per cent poor and 10 per cent very poor.

Those crops that were seeded earlier are showing good emergence, but growth has slowed in some areas because of the cool temperatures overnight. Some crops are behind because it has been cool and they are in areas where it is dry, but in general, most are at a normal stage of development.

Crops that have been damaged are in areas where the wind has been strong and the moisture was limited. The light frost and flea beetles have also caused issues.

Producers continue to seed, move their livestock to pasture, welcome new calves and spray herbicides now that weeds are beginning to emerge.