Early Forecast Suggests No Above Average Spring Runoff for Saskatchewan

Dec 20, 2022

Mostly dry conditions heading into the winter mean the chances of an above average spring runoff in Saskatchewan are low.

While some areas of the province experienced higher than normal spring and early summer precipitation, the last half of the summer and early fall were dry resulting in drier than normal soil moisture conditions at freeze-up, said the Water Security Agency’s (WSA) recently released 2022 Conditions at Freeze-up Report. The report provides an early indication of areas that are more vulnerable to potentially above or below normal runoff in the spring.

“At this time, there are no areas where WSA believes that there is a heightened risk of above normal spring runoff in 2023,” the agency said in a release.

In fact, the WSA said the main concern now is the potential for surface water supply issues in the province’s southwest region if winter snowfall is below average. Most larger water supply reservoirs across southern and central Saskatchewan have adequate supplies.

The southwest and east-central portions of the province did experience two significant snowfall events this fall that melted, improving near surface soil moisture. However, snow surveys in February 2023 will still be needed to help determine if the moisture will infiltrate into the soil or run off toward reservoirs.

Click here to see more...

Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.