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Saskatchewan’s turbulent spring weather has left seeding well behind average for this time of year.
In the first crop report of the 2022 season, the Ministry of Agriculture says one per cent of the crop is in the ground. The five-year average at this point is five per cent.
The issues have been cool temperatures and spring snowstorms that hammered areas of the province. The ministry said fields have been drying out of late, which will allow seeding operations to start up.
However, the ministry said in a release that topsoil moisture levels for cropland, hay and pastureland are “still less than ideal for proper seed germination and pasture growth.”
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated at five per cent surplus, 55 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and 14 per cent very short. Hay and pastureland moisture levels are considered two per cent surplus, 52 per cent adequate, 29 per cent short and 17 per cent very short.
Spring runoff also has filled dugouts, sloughs and other small water bodies in many areas, which will help livestock producers who struggled during last year’s drought to find water for their animals.
But the report said pasture conditions are “less than desirable” to start the year because of the drought through the summer and a lack of rain in the fall. Pasture lands are rated as zero per cent excellent, 12 per cent good, 22 per cent fair, 37 per cent poor and 29 per cent very poor.
“Warm days with minimal wind are needed along with good rains to improve conditions and allow enough forage growth to support cattle throughout the summer,” the report said.
With pastures in poor condition, livestock producers have had to ration feed supplies — something the ministry said has been an issue. Forage feed supplies are rated at 35 per cent adequate and 65 per cent inadequate, while feed grain supplies are rated as 55 per cent adequate and 45 per cent inadequate.
A good hay crop will be required to replenish feed supplies for next winter.
The report said winterkill has been reported in winter wheat, fall rye and other fall seeded crops, most notably in the southwest where there wasn’t enough snow to protect the crops. Farmers in some areas may be forced to reseed.
