REGINA — Seeding is close to the halfway mark in Saskatchewan, according to Thursday’s provincial crop report.
Progress is 49 per cent complete, up from 31 per cent last week. That is ahead of the five-year average of 32 per cent and the 10-year average of 34 per cent.
The southwest region is furthest ahead at 76 per cent complete. The northwest region sits at 49 per cent, while the southeast, west-central and northeast regions are all at 43 per cent. The east-central region is at 33 per cent.
Pulse crops continue to lead other crop types in progress, with 78 per cent of field peas seeded, followed by lentils at 71 per cent and chickpeas at 65 per cent. Among cereal crops, triticale is 73 per cent seeded, durum 65 per cent, spring wheat 53 per cent, barley 45 per cent, oats 28 per cent and canary seed 23 per cent.
Mustard continues to lead oilseed crops in seeding progress at 66 per cent, followed by canola at 29 per cent and flax at 28 per cent. Perennial forage is 25 per cent seeded, and soybeans are the furthest behind at 14 per cent.
The lack of rain this past week helped farmers stay in the field and get seed in the ground. The Marengo area recorded the most rainfall at just 14 millimetres, followed by the Wadena area with 13 mm. Many other areas reported only trace amounts.
Crops extension specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture, Meghan Rosso, said warm and windy conditions have reduced topsoil moisture in crop, hay and pasture lands.
Topsoil moisture for cropland is rated at one per cent surplus, 61 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hayland is rated at 51 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is reported at 42 per cent adequate, 50 per cent short and eight per cent very short.
While grain farmers are hoping for rain to support crop development, livestock producers are hoping for precipitation to improve pasture and hay conditions, as well as water supply.
The report states: “Fifty-four per cent of producers currently estimate there are no shortages of on-farm surface water supplies for livestock occurring or anticipated, with 32 per cent estimating that shortages may occur in one to two months depending on future moisture conditions. Twelve per cent of producers are currently indicating that moderate shortages are occurring, with two per cent reporting severe shortages. Currently, 84 per cent of producers are not concerned with water quality for their livestock at this time.”
Farmers continue seeding as some of the early-seeded crops begin to emerge. Weather permitting, producers are also applying pre-seed herbicide for weed control, as well as harrowing, land rolling and rock picking.
Livestock producers continue to check fences and are starting to move cattle out to pasture.
