Seeding in Saskatchewan is expected to be completed this week, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. While there are few fields of oats and flax, as well as some greenfeed and silage, being seeded at this time, 99.5 per cent of the crop is in the ground. The five-year (2011-2015) average for this time of year is 94 per cent seeded.
Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as four per cent surplus, 85 per cent adequate, nine per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate, 14 per cent short and four per cent very short. There are both shortages and surpluses of topsoil moisture in the province. In crop districts 1A and 2B, 23 per cent of cropland has surplus topsoil moisture; in Crop District 9B, 31 per cent of cropland is short topsoil moisture.
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Another warm week has resulted in excellent crop growth. Overall across the province, 60 per cent of the fall cereals, 75 per cent of the spring cereals and 73 per cent of the oilseeds are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. The majority of the crops are in excellent-to-good condition. Rainfall was recorded throughout most of the province, with the southeastern, southwestern and east-central regions recording the greatest amounts. Areas in the drier northwest also received much-needed rain this week.
Windy conditions have hampered weed control operations in many areas of the province. Cutworms and disease are causing crop damage in some areas. Producers are busy controlling weeds and insects and getting prepared for haying.
