60 per cent of Saskatchewan’s total crops have been seeded, according to newest figures

May 25, 2017

That number falls short of the 65 per cent five-year average

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

Producers in Saskatchewan have seeded 60 per cent of the province’s total crop, according to latest (May 25) figures from the Ministry of Agriculture.

That number is slightly lower than the 65 per cent five-year average and well below the 81 per cent recorded at this time last year.

And heavy moisture in parts of the province could mean producers won’t plant all fields.

“At this time, it is estimated that five per cent of acres will not be seeded due to excess moisture,” says the report.

Most of the crops are progressing on schedule.

78 per cent of fall cereals are developing normally, 11 per cent are ahead of schedule and another 11 per cent are behind.

52 per cent of spring cereals are also developing normally. 46 per cent are behind schedule.

With respect to pulse crops, 65 per cent are at normal development stages and 32 per cent are behind.

Oilseeds are the only crop with a majority (51 per cent) of its crops behind schedule in terms of development. 48 per cent of the crop continues to develop normally.

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Region	Areas	Highlights
Southeast	Carnduff, Estevan, Redvers, Moosomin, Kipling, Weyburn, Milestone, Moose Jaw, Regina, Qu-Appelle, Radville, Minton and Lake Alma	80 per cent of the total crop is seeded, up from the 64 per cent five-year average. An estimated 2 per cent of acres will not be seeded due to excessive moisture. Minimal rains fell last week. Frost damaged alfalfa, winter cereal and oilseed crops, resulting in some re-seeding.
Southwest	Coronach, Assiniboia, Ogema, Gravelbourg, Mossbank, Mortlach, Central Butte, Kyle, Swift Current, Shaunavon, Ponteix, Consul, Maple Creek and Leader	76 per cent of the total crop has been seeded, down from the 78 per cent five-year average. 1 per cent of acres may not be seeded due to moisture concerns. Kyle received 6mm of rain. Frost damaged alfalfa, winter cereal and oilseed crops. Some acres will likely be re-seeded.
East-Central	Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville, Kelvington, Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet	53 per cent of the region’s crop have been seeded, down from a five-year average of 55 per cent. An estimated 4 per cent of acres in the region will go unseeded due to moisture issues. Producers are still harvesting their 2016 crop.
West-Central	Hanley, Outlook, Loreburn, Saskatoon, Arelee, Rosetown, Kindersley, Eston, Major, Kerrobert, Macklin, Wilkie and Biggar	59 per cent of the region’s crops have been seeded, down from the 68 per cent five-year average. An estimated 5 per cent of acres will remain unseeded due to heavy moisture. Some alfalfa fields were damaged due to frost. Producers continue to harvest 2016 crops.
Northeastern	Hudson Bay, Tisdale, Melfort, Carrot River, Humboldt, Kinistino, Cudworth, Aberdeen, Prince Albert, Choiceland and Paddockwood	25 per cent of crops in the region have been seeded, down from the 56 per cent average over five years. Currently, it is estimated that 15 per cent of acres in the region will remain unseeded due to moisture concerns. Vonda received 18mm of rain. Farmers are burning residue in some areas. Producers are also tilling fields to help prepare them for seeding.
Northwestern	Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River, Hafford, Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster	43 per cent of crops in the region have been seeded, down from the 64 per cent five-year average. 5 per cent of acres are estimated to go unseeded due to moisture concerns. Producers are burning residue and unsalvageable crops. Producers are tilling fields to prepare them for seeding.

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