Good progress in the fields last week has Saskatchewan seeding almost wrapped up for another year.
Thursday’s weekly crop report showed seeding across the province at 94% complete as of Monday, up 17 points from a week earlier and near the five- and 10-year average of 97%. Last year at this time, 96% of the crop was in.
Planting is the most advanced in the southeast and southwest regions at 96% done as of Monday. The northwest was 93% complete, followed closely by the east-central, west-central, and northeast regions all at 92%.
Provincially, seeding is nearly complete for field peas (99%), lentils (97%), spring wheat (96%) and durum (95%). On the other hand, mustard (87%), triticale (84%) and perennial forage (70%) were the furthest behind in seeding progress. Canola was 93% complete, with flax and barley close behind at 92% and oats at 88%.
Rainfall was variable throughout the province with a few areas reporting heavy rainfall. The highest rainfall was reported in the Porcupine Plain area at 83 mm followed by the Foam Lake area at 73 mm. Topsoil moisture has continued to increase, with cropland topsoil moisture rated 4% surplus, 91% adequate and 4% short. That compares to 3% surplus, 89% adequate and 8% short the previous week, and 7% surplus, 78% adequate, 14% short and 1% very short last year.
There were various causes of crop damage over the past week. Wind, frost and hail were reported in various locations across the province, the report said, with minor crop damage overall. In some regions, producers reported localized heavy rain caused crops to drown out in lower areas within the field. Minor crop damage from flea beetle and cutworm pressure was reported with some producers taking control measures, it added.
Producers are looking forward to warmer weather to assist crop development. Varying stages of development are reported given the cooler temperatures and delays in seeding progress.
Forty-eight per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, 25 per cent at stem elongation, 20 per cent at flag leaf and seven per cent heading.
Twenty-six per cent of spring cereals are at the pre-emergent stage with 57 per cent at the seedling stage and 17 per cent tillering.
Eighteen per cent of pulse crops are at the pre-emergent stage with 68 per cent at the seedling stage and 14 per cent reported at the vegetative stage of development.
Forty-three per cent of canola and mustard are at the pre-emergent stage, with 54 per cent at the seedling stage and three per cent at the rosette stage.
Forty-seven per cent of the flax is at the pre-emergent stage with 51 per cent at the seedling stage and two per cent starting stem elongation.
Southeast:
Seeding is reported at 96 per cent complete within the region, up from 84 per cent last week. This is similar to the five-year average of 96 per cent reported in the southeast region.
Seeding is complete, or near completion, for many crops including field peas, lentils, durum and canary seed. Soybeans and flax are reported at 97 per cent seeding completion. Oats and barley are reported at 95 per cent complete followed by spring wheat at 94 per cent. Seeding completion for canola and mustard are 94 per cent and 93 per cent, respectively. Chickpeas are 90 per cent complete. The crops that are furthest behind perennial forage crops at 84 per cent and triticale at 79 per cent complete.
Rain fell throughout the region last week with the highest amount reported in the Lipton area of 52 mm. The Indian Head area received 45 mm followed by the Bienfait area with 41 mm and the Broadview area with 40 mm. The Langenburg and Weyburn areas received 16 mm over the past week.
Topsoil moisture continues to improve within the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is reported at two per cent surplus, 90 per cent adequate and eight per cent short.
Southwest:
Seeding is reported at 96 per cent complete within the region, up from 83 per cent last week. This behind the five-year average of 99 per cent.
Seeding is near completion for field peas and lentils. Canola is reported at 98 per cent complete followed by durum, barley and flax at 97 per cent. Spring wheat is 96 per cent complete. Oats, canary seed, chickpeas and mustard are all reported at 93 per cent complete. Triticale is reported at 90 per cent seeding completion. The crop that is furthest behind is perennial forage at 69 per cent.
Rain fell throughout the majority of the region. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Eston area at 28 mm. The Gouldtown and Maple Creek areas received 26 mm followed by the Shaunavon area at 25 mm. The Limerick and Gull Lake areas reported 24 mm for the week.
Regular rainfall within the region has helped maintain topsoil moisture. Cropland topsoil moisture is reported at four per cent surplus, 93 per cent adequate and three per cent short.
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