EAST CENTRAL — Significant seeding progress was made from May 7 to May 13 as 38 per cent of the crop is now in the ground, ahead of the five-year average (2014-18) of 31 per cent for this time of year. Crops are slow to emerge due to cool conditions.
Northeastern Saskatchewan
The region has made good seeding progress with 22 per cent of the crop now seeded. This is well ahead the five-year (2014-18) average of 15 per cent for this time of year and up from three per cent last week.
Rainfall this past week ranged from trace amounts to 21 millimetres in the Nipawin area. The Bruno and Vonda areas reported seven millimetres, the Garrick and Spruce Home areas five millimetres and the Lake Lenore area two millimetres. The Hudson Bay area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (52 millimetres).
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate, 14 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and five per cent very short. Crop District 8A is reporting that five per cent of the cropland and one per cent of the hay land and pasture have surplus moisture at this time.
Pastures and hay land remain slow to green up due to the cool weather. Producers have indicated that cold temperatures are making pre-seeding weed control difficult as there is little weed growth.
Farmers are busy seeding, working fields, applying fertilizer and calving.
East Central Saskatchewan
Seeding operations are well underway in the region. Thirty-one per cent of the crop is in the ground, up from seven per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year (2014-18) average of 18 per cent for this time of year. Due to the dry spring field conditions, some producers are able to seed areas in fields that have been unworkable in the last few years.
The majority of the region did not receive much rain last week, although the Goodeve, Ituna and Earl Grey areas reported 12 millimetres and the Esterhazy, Langenburg, Raymore, Rama, Elfros, Allan and Bethune areas three millimetres. The Esterhazy area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (35 millimetres).
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 44 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and 13 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 32 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 27 per cent very short. While producers have indicated that moisture is adequate for seeding, rain will be needed in the coming weeks to help with crop establishment.
Pastures are slow to green up in many areas due to the cool weather; however, the forecast favourable conditions will help growth. Producers have indicated that cold temperatures are making pre-seeding weed control difficult as there is little weed growth.
Farmers are busy seeding, working fields, fixing fences and moving cattle.
The crop report is provided each week by the Government of Saskatchewan
