Sask. seeding pegged at 96 percent complete

We’re pretty close to 100 percent for seeding in Saskatchewan.
The latest crop report today indicates 96 percent of the 2023 crop is in the ground, up from 89 percent last week, and just behind the 5-year average of 97 percent.
The west-central region is essentially done at 99 percent; the northeast and northwest are not far behind at 98 percent; the southwest at 96 percent, and east-central and southeast at 94 percent.
Crops Specialist Sara Tetland says rain was widespread and welcomed in drier areas to improve moisture conditions, but it delayed some farmers from finishing up seeding.
“Most farmers were happy with the rainfall, it’s still dry in some parts of the province, particularly in the western regions so that rain was happy news for most people, (but) we did see some localized flooding with a lot of that rain coming as heavy rain storms.” Tetland said.
The Glenavon area received 64 mm of rain 53 mm in Mossbank, 45 mm in Rhein, 34 mm in Garrick and 11 mm in Mayfair.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 7 percent surplus, 78 percent adequate, 14 percent short and 1 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 5 percent surplus, 75 percent adequate, 17 percent short and 3 percent very short.
Tetland says the heat and moisture have aided crop development.
According to the report, 31 percent of the fall cereal crops are reported as being in the jointing stage, 26 percent are in the shot blade stage and 12 percent are in the heading stage, while 46 percent of the spring cereals are emerging and 40 percent are tillering. 42 percent of the canola is emerging and 42 percent is in the seedling stage, along with 34 percent of flax being in the seedling stage. 49 percent of pulse crops are emerging and 43 percent are in the vegetative stage.
Tetland says there has been reports of various crop damage this past week, from flooding she eluded to earlier, to hail, wind damage, and the heat causing crop stress. There were also reports of insect damage caused by grasshoppers and flea beetles, as well as gophers.
A region-by-region breakdown is below.
Southeast
Even with rain delays in the region, producers were able to make good progress seeding. Ninety-four per cent of the crop has now been seeded, up from 80 per cent last week but still behind the five-year average (2018-2022) of 97 per cent. Localized heavy rains in the region have resulted in some low laying areas being drowned out or preventing seeding in these areas of the field. Warm weather and good moisture has helped crops progress and many producers are saying their crops look good.

Rain was reported in much of the region this week. The Marquis area received 62 mm of rain, the Avonlea area 40 mm, the Grenfell area 24 mm and the Frobisher area 20 mm. This maintained overall good moisture conditions in the region. Cropland is rated as seven per cent surplus, 89 per cent adequate and four per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 89 per cent adequate and nine per cent short.

Ten per cent of the fall cereal crops are in the jointing stage and 26 per cent are in the shot blade stage, while 27 per cent of the spring cereals are tillering. Forty-six per cent of canola and mustard is emerging and 32 per cent is in the seedling stage. Thirty-nine per cent of flax in the seedling stage. Fifty-nine per cent of the pulse crops are emerging and 43 per cent are in the vegetative stage.

Most of the crop damage this week was due to localized heavy rain resulting in flooding, as well as grasshoppers. Producers are busy finishing up seeding, spraying and moving cattle to pasture.

Southwest
Seeding progress is at 96 per cent in the southwest, up from 90 per cent last week and behind the five-year average (2018-2022) of 99 per cent. While storms have brought rain into the region, many producers, particularly in the northern areas of the region are hoping for more to support crop and pasture development.

Rain was seen throughout the region this week, which was welcomed by most producers. The Rockglen area received 33 mm this week, the Eyebrow area 32 mm, the Cabri area 25 mm, the Maple Creek area 15 mm, the Leader area eight mm and the Vanguard area five mm.

Precipitation this week helped maintain or improve moisture conditions in parts of the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate and 20 per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 75 per cent adequate, 23 per cent short and two per cent very short.

Thirty-three per cent of the fall cereal crops are in the jointing stage and 23 per cent are heading, while 42 per cent of the spring cereals are tillering. Fifty-nine per cent of canola and mustard is emerging and 40 per cent is in the seedling stage, 39 per cent of flax is also in the seedling stage. Fifty-nine per cent of the pulse crops are emerging and 36 per cent is in the vegetative stage.

The majority of crop damage this week was due to dry conditions, localized flooding and hail, as well as flea beetle and grasshopper damage. Producers have been busy wrapping up seeding, spraying and checking their crops.

East-Central
Ninety-four per cent of the crop is now in the ground, up from 81 per cent last week and slightly behind the five-year average (2018-2022) of 99 per cent. Producers are progressing in seeding as weather conditions allow, but the rain this week has delayed many from completing operations.

Most of the region received rain this week. There are many reports of flooding in the region. Still, many producers were happy to see the rain as it helped improve moisture conditions in the drier parts of the region. The Wynard area received 47 mm of rain, the Saltcoats area 45 mm, the Craven and Stalwart areas 40 mm and the Lipton area 36 mm.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 19 per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate and 10 per cent short. Hay and pasture land is rated as 19 per cent surplus, 64 per cent adequate, 11 per cent short and six per cent very short.

Recent rain falls and high temperatures have helped support crop emergence and development. Sixteen per cent of the fall cereal crops are in the shot blade stage, while 31 per cent of the spring cereals are tillering. Forty-six per cent of canola and mustard is emerging and 31 per cent is in the seedling stage, along with 10 per cent of flax in the seedling stage. Forty-six per cent of the pulse crops are emerging and 47 per cent are in the vegetative stage.

The majority of crop damage this week was due to localized flooding, wind, flea beetles and grasshoppers. Producers are busy spraying, picking rocks and moving cattle to pasture.

West-Central
Most seeding operations have wrapped up in the region now that 99 per cent of the crop has been seeded, up from 94 per cent last week and on par with the five-year average. While most producers reported that there is enough moisture to support germination of crops, more is needed soon to ensure continued development.

Rain was reported throughout the region this past week. Much of it came in the form of heavy storms. This resulted in some flooding of low spots. The Dinsmore area received 54 mm of rain, the Wilkie area 38 mm, the Rosetown area 22 mm, the Hague area 10 mm and the Kerrobert area two mm.

Moisture conditions have slightly improved in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 67 per cent adequate, 27 per cent short and four per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 55 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and six per cent very short.

Thirty-eight per cent of the fall cereal crops are in the shot blade stage and 18 per cent are heading, while 47 per cent of the spring cereals are tillering. Thirty-six per cent of canola and mustard is emerging and 54 per cent is in the seedling stage, along with 36 per cent of flax in the seedling stage. Thirty-five per cent of the pulse crops are emerging and 60 per cent is in the vegetative stage.

Crop damage this week was reported due to dry conditions, heat, wind, localized flooding, flea beetles, grasshoppers and gophers. Producers are busy doing in-crop spraying, moving cattle to pasture and picking rocks.

Northeast
Most producers in the region are finished seeding or will be wrapping up shortly. Ninety-eight per cent of the 2023 crop is now seeded, which is up from 89 per cent last week and near the five-year average (2018-2022) of 99 per cent. Heavy downpours in parts of the northeast have resulted in accumulation of water in the fields. Rain was welcome for many though, due to dry conditions and high temperatures.

Most areas in the northeast received rain this past week. The Lake Lenore region received 44 mm of rain, the Garrick area 34 mm, the Arborfield area 30 mm and the Star City area 23 mm and the Porcupine Plain area nine mm.

Cropland topsoil moisture is being rated as 11 per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate and seven per cent short. Hay and pasture land is rated as one per cent surplus, 88 per cent adequate, 10 per cent short and one per cent very short.

Warm weather and adequate moisture have helped crops progress, with many producers stating that crops are ahead in development for this time of year. Thirty-eight per cent of the spring cereals are emerging and 54 per cent are tillering. Thirty per cent of canola and mustard is emerging and 61 per cent is in the seedling stage, while 56 per cent of flax is in the seedling stage. Thirty per cent of the pulse crops are emerging and 68 per cent are in the vegetative stage.

The majority of crop damage this week was due to strong winds, localized flooding, hail, dry conditions, heat and flea beetles. Producers are busy in-crop spraying, although the high temperatures and rain has been delaying some.

Northwest
The majority of producers in the region have completed seeding for the season, although rains have prevented some from completely finishing. While rain caused some localized flooding, it was a welcome site for many. Seeding is now at 98 per cent, up slightly from 97 per cent last week and near the five-year average (2018-2022) of 99 per cent.

Much of the northwest region received rain this past week, but most of it was in the form of spotty rain showers. The Lloydminster area received the highest amount of rain this week with a reported 153 mm. The Meadow Lake area received 39 mm of rain, the Medstead area 38 mm and the Hafford area 14 mm.

Moisture conditions have improved in the region this past week, although more land is being rated as surplus for moisture. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate, 16 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 75 per cent adequate, 19 per cent short and six per cent very short.

Warm weather and recent rainfalls have helped support crop growth. Thirty-seven per cent of the spring cereals are emerging and 53 per cent are tillering. Thirty-four per cent of canola and mustard is emerging and 49 per cent is in the seedling stage, while 53 per cent of flax is in the seedling stage. Thirty-four per cent of the pulse crops are emerging and 52 per cent are in the vegetative stage.

Producers are reporting damage caused by flooding, hail, very dry conditions and flea beetles. Producers in the northwest are continuing in-crop spraying.

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