Cool temperatures in the region have prevented seeding from beginning in most areas of the region. Currently, five per cent of seeding is completed in the region, which is slightly above the five-year average (2016-2020) of two per cent for this time of year. Fifteen per cent of field peas, ten per cent of oats and seven per cent of durum and barley have been seeded to date.
Farmers have been busy prepping equipment and fields while they wait for soil temperatures to rise to allow seeding to get into full swing. They are also ganizing their herbicide and fertilizer inventories.
Farmers have indicated that moisture levels are good for seeding and subsequent germination. The Pelly and Humboldt areas of the region received five mm, the Rose Valley area four mm, the Rama area three mm and the Lanigan area received two mm this week.
There has been very little weed emergence in the region. It is still too early to estimate the condition of winter cereals in areas where they were able to be seeded last fall. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as zero per cent surplus, 33 per cent adequate and 45 per cent short and 22 very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as zero per cent surplus, 21 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and 36 per cent very short.
Farmers have been busy getting machinery ready, harrowing, applying fertilizer and starting seeding in some areas.
The East Central crop report covers Watrous, Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville, Kelvington, Lumsden, Craik and Clavet areas
