Glacier FarmMedia—Spring planting in Saskatchewan progressed 24 points during the week ended May 20, putting seeding at 56 per cent complete, according to the provincial Agriculture department. However, that’s 12 points behind this time last year and well below the five-year average of 76 per cent finished.
By region, farmers in the southwest were furthest along at 64 per cent done, followed by those in the northwest at 63 per cent and the southeast at 61 per cent. The east-central region reached 54 per cent complete, with the northeast at 48 per cent and the west-central at 47 per cent.
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Crops in Saskatchewan are developing in opposite directions, the province’s latest crop report said. Growing conditions in the province vary, with some areas receiving enough rain while other locations are experiencing crop stress due to hot, dry conditions.
Crop development in Saskatchewan was 83 per cent normal to ahead for fall cereals, with spring cereals and pulses at 71 per cent, and oilseeds at 69 per cent. While the emergence of the early seeded crops was reported to be good, there have been a few instances of cutworms, wireworms and flea beetles. Most of the crop damage was caused by frost, minor flooding, wind, and hail.
Farmers in most parts of Saskatchewan contended with rain at some point during the week, with some areas receiving up to 58 millimeters. The rain continued to improve topsoil moisture conditions with that of cropland at six per cent surplus, 89 per cent adequate and five per cent short. The hayland came in at three per cent surplus, 85 per cent adequate and 11 per cent short and one per cent very short.
Pastureland was also at three per cent surplus, while 83 per cent was adequate, 12 per cent short and two per cent very short. As well, the pastures rated 67 per cent good to excellent.
