Seeding passes halfway point in Saskatchewan after slow, wet start to growing season

Farmers in Saskatchewan have made good progress on seeding after late snowfall and wet conditions slowed down the start of the season.

According to the weekly crop report from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture – which covered the week ending on Monday – producers have passed the halfway point on seeding, which is now 52 per cent complete across the province, up from 29 per cent in the previous week’s report.

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But despite the solid progress, seeding is still lagging behind the five-year average of 74 per cent and the 10-year average of 77 per cent.

Seeding is furthest advanced in the southwest at 74 per cent, which the ministry attributed to early field access and drier conditions than other regions. The west-central region was close behind, at 69 per cent, followed by the southeast (61 per cent) and the northwest (55 per cent).

But in east-central Saskatchewan, seeding is just 26 per cent complete, while the northeast region was sitting at 25 per cent completion on Monday.

“While these regions experienced comparatively slower progress due to less favourable field conditions, seeding activity continues to advance as opportunities allow,” the report read.

“Pulse crops, including lentils and field peas, remain the most advanced in seeding progress, while cereals and oilseed crops continue to expand steadily, contributing to a consistent increase in overall seeded acreage.”

The highest rainfall total in the week covered by the report was in the Martin area, which got 60 millimetres of rainfall. The Craik area was close behind, with 59 mm.

Despite the varied precipitation and hot temperatures seen in some regions over the week covered by the report, the ministry said topsoil conditions remained largely stable.

In cropland, topsoil moisture was rated as 19 per cent surplus, 70 per cent adequate and 11 per cent short, while hayland topsoil moisture was rated as 14 per cent surplus, 70 per cent adequate and 16 per cent short. In pastures, moisture levels were rated as nine per cent surplus, 68 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and three per cent very short.

Crop development has varied due to varied moisture levels and temperatures, the ministry said. Fall cereals are at 58 per cent of normal development, with one per cent ahead and 41 per cent behind. For spring cereals, 37 per cent are normal, while 63 per cent are behind. When it comes to pulses, 45 per cent are normal and 55 per cent are behind.

Oilseeds are sitting at 27 per cent of their normal development, the ministry said, with 73 per cent behind. Perennial forage is at 50 per cent normal development, with two per cent ahead and 48 per cent behind. Annual forage was sitting at 39 per cent of its normal development, with two per cent ahead and 59 per cent behind.

“Crop development remains generally behind across all categories, with minimal acres ahead of normal,” the report noted.

“Oilseeds and spring-seeded crops are showing the greatest delays, while fall cereals and perennial forage are closer to expected stages.”

Some minor crop damage was reported around the province over the week ending on Monday, the ministry added, with localized flooding, wind, frost and gophers all causing some damage in fields. Dry conditions and hot weather also stressed crops in some parts of the province, while other producers are dealing with issues with insects.

“If weather conditions remain favourable, most producers anticipate that seeding will progress rapidly next week,” the ministry said.

“In addition to seeding, producers are busy moving cattle to pasture, applying herbicides and land-rolling.”

The full crop report can be found on the agriculture ministry’s website.