One year ago Producers had 93 per cent of the crop in the ground. The majority of crops were behind normal development stages, mainly due to cool weather.

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Seeding is virtually complete for Saskatchewan’s producers. However, there are still some areas either finishing up or re-seeding crops that were damaged by frost.  The five-year (2010-2014) seeding average for this time of year is 87 per cent according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report.

Rainfall varied across the province from minimal to well over three inches in sections of the southeastern region.  Much of the province needs rain to replenish topsoil moisture conditions.  Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as three per cent surplus, 40 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 15 per cent very short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 36 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 18 per cent very short.

Crop development is delayed in some areas due to lack of moisture.  However, most crops are in good condition but could use some moisture and warm weather to help them develop.  Much of the hay land and pasture is slow to become green and could also use some moisture.  Crop damage this week was mainly caused by flea beetles, wind and lack of moisture.

Farmers are busy completing seeding operations and controlling pests.

East-Central Saskatchewan (Crop District 5 – Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas; Crop District 6A – Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas)

Like much of the province, the east-central region has wrapped up seeding operations; although some fields will likely still be put into greenfeed. Many of the canola fields that were hit hard by frost have been re-seeded. In-crop spraying is underway as weather permits.

Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to 15 mm in the Ituna area. Since April 1, the Craik area has received 98 mm of rainfall, the greatest amount for the region. Topsoil moisture conditions are deteriorating due to lack of moisture and there are concerns of crop emergence and growth of hay land and pasture. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as three per cent surplus, 54 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and four per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 47 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and eight per cent very short. While Crop District 6A is reporting that seven per cent of cropland has surplus topsoil moisture, CDs 5A and 5B are reporting that seven per cent of cropland is very short topsoil moisture.

Crop development has been slow and many crops have unevenly emerged. Hay crops are short and are in need of considerable rain to help relieve stress. The majority of damage this week was caused by flea beetles and a lack of moisture. Farmers are busy finishing up seeding, controlling pests and moving cattle.