Amid a dry start to the growing season, early Saskatchewan crop conditions are lower across the board compared to a year earlier.
The weekly crop report on Thursday – which contained the first crop condition ratings of the season – pegged the province’s spring wheat and canola crops at 67% and 58% good to excellent as of Monday, down from 81% and 69% a year earlier. At 67% and 70% good to excellent, this year’s pea and lentil conditions were 17 and 7 points below last year, while oats and barley, at 69% and 72% good to excellent, were down from 80% and 81%.
The durum crop was rated 4 points below last year at 73% good to excellent as of Monday, while canaryseed was down 3 points at 70%. At 66% good to excellent, the condition of the flax crop was down 5 points, and mustard down 3 points at 60%. Chickpeas were down 8 points at 68%. Soybeans have been hit the worst, with the condition of the crop down a major 38 points from last year at just 40% good to excellent.
Rainfall received two weeks ago was beneficial for crops and pastures, but minimal precipitation and strong winds this past week reduced topsoil moisture conditions in all regions of the province. Cropland topsoil moisture was rated 0% surplus, 72% adequate, 20% short and 8% very short as of Monday, versus 6% surplus, 80% adequate, 11% short and 3% very short the previous week.
There were small precipitation events throughout the province over the past week. The Cando area reported the most with 23 mm of precipitation, the Kindersley area reported 20 mm, the Spruce Home area reported 15 mm, the Earl Grey area reported 12 mm and the Rhein area reported 10 mm.
An estimated 97% of the Saskatchewan crop was seeded as of Monday, ahead the five-year average of 92% and 96% last year.
Southeast:
Seeding is wrapping up in the region. Currently seeding is 98 per cent complete, which is up from 86 per cent last week and slightly ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) for this time of year of 95 per cent. Within the region, 99 per cent of the durum, spring wheat, mustard, soybeans, lentils, field peas and chickpeas, 98 per cent of barley, 97 per cent of canola and flax and 94 per cent of oats have been seeded.
There was limited rainfall this week, ranging from none to six mm in areas around the region. Significant rainfall will be needed soon to support crop germination and development and to ensure pasture and hay growth. Windy conditions continued this week and have further reduced topsoil moisture. The wind has also prevented some producers from in-crop spraying to control weeds that are now rapidly growing. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 67 per cent adequate, 25 per cent short and eight per cent very short.
The majority of crops across the region are in good condition. Smaller seed crops such as canola, mustard and flax are in fair to good condition but it could fall quickly if the region doesn’t receive more rainfall. Continuous wind has been drying the soil and reducing emergence of these crops. Most of the crop damage this week is due to strong winds, dry soils, flea beetles and light frosts in some areas.
Southwest:
Seeding is currently 96 per cent complete. This is up from 91 per cent last week and ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) for this time of year of 91 per cent. Ninety-nine per cent of the field peas, canary seed and soybeans, 98 per cent of the chickpeas, durum, canola and mustard, 97 per cent of spring wheat, 96 per cent of barley and flax, 94 per cent of oats and 90 per cent of lentils have been seeded.
Rain in the region ranged from nothing to 12 mm in some areas of the region. Areas that received rainfall last week and the previous week have reported good germination and crop emergence as well as a slight improvement in pasture growth. More rain is needed throughout the region to improve and sustain crop and pasture growth. The warm temperatures and wind have continued to dry the soil. Winds have also continued to prevent spraying and weeds in less competitive crops may become an issue. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 66 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and 10 per cent very short.
The majority of crops in the region are in fair to good condition. Most of the damage this past week has been caused by winds, dry soil conditions and flea beetles. The winds have cause damage to young seedlings and have prevented growth along the edges of fields.
East-Central:
Dry conditions have allowed producers to make progress seeding, with some finishing up for the year. Seeding is 94 per cent complete, which is up considerably from 77 per cent last week and ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) for this time of year of 88 per cent. Within the east-central region, 99 per cent of the lentils, chickpeas, field peas, durum, 98 per cent of canary seed, 96 per cent of spring wheat, 93 per cent of barley, 92 per cent of canola and flax and 86 per cent of oats are now seeded.
The Earl Grey area reported the most rain this week with 12 mm. Earlier seeded crops are emerging nicely although their growth has been slow due to cool temperatures; strong winds have been blowing soil and damaging young seedlings and drying out surface moisture. Crop, hay and pastures are growing slowly due to lack of moisture and cool nighttime temperatures in some areas. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 73 per cent adequate, 16 per cent short and 11 per cent very short.
The majority of the crops are in fair to good condition. Most of the crop damage this week is due to strong winds, dry soils, flea beetles and light frosts in some areas.
West-Central:
Seeding is 98 per cent complete, which is up from 89 per cent last week and ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) for this time of year of 91 per cent. Ninety-nine per cent of the field peas, lentils, canary seed, durum, mustard, lentils, field pea and soybeans, 98 per cent of canola, flax and spring wheat, 97 per cent of barley and 96 per cent of oats are planted.
Areas of the region that previously received rainfall have improved crop development and pasture growth. This week there was little precipitation across the region and more will be needed soon. Strong winds and warm temperatures are reducing moisture conditions in the region. Producers are hoping for more rain soon. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 71 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and five per cent very short.
The majority of crops are in fair to excellent condition. Later seeded and smaller seeded crops are slow to emerge; crops that were seeded deeper have had trouble germinating evenly. Strong winds have prevented many producers from being able to spray, but in-crop spraying is starting in the region now that weed growth has increased. Most of the crop damage this week was due to wind, dry conditions, flea beetles and gophers.
Northeast:
A lot of progress was made this week and seeding is 98 per cent complete. This is up from 85 per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) for this time of year of 82 per cent. Ninety-nine per cent of the field peas and spring wheat, 98 per cent of barley, flax and canary seed and 97 per cent of oats and canola have been seed in the region.
Parts of the region received light rain showers this week, which was welcome. Good moisture levels have been maintained in the region due to light precipitation and cooler weather this week. With the recent rains, crop emergence has improved and growth has quickened with the warmer weather. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 88 per cent adequate and 10 per cent short.
Most crops are in good or fair condition in the northeast region; some reseeding of canola is occurring where frost damage was the worst. Crop damage this week was due to wind damaging young seedlings, flea beetles and light frosts.
Northwest:
Seeding is 98 per cent complete, which is up from 87 per cent last week and ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) for this time of year of 85 per cent. In the region, 99 per cent of field peas, spring wheat, durum and canola, 96 per cent of barley and 90 per cent of oats have been planted.
Very little rain was received in the region this week. More precipitation is needed as soils will begin to rapidly dry out during the hot days in the forecast. Pasture conditions have slightly improved in the region with the recent rains over the past couple weeks but growth is still slow. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate, 18 per cent short and one per cent very short.
In general, crop development is behind due to cooler temperatures earlier in the season, but this should improve with recent weather. Warm temperatures and good moisture conditions are supporting crop growth and crops are germinating and emerging uniformly. The majority of crops are in good condition, with some small areas of the region seeing some reseeding of canola. The crop damage this week that was reported was due to wind, flea beetles and light frosts.
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