One year ago Dry weather allowed most producers to return to the field after rain delays. Sixty-four per cent of the 2014 crop had been seeded.

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Seeding Progress in SK Per cent seeded All Crops May 25, 2015 87 5 year avg. (2010-2014) 61 May 26/14 64 May 27/13 67 May 21/12 64 May 23/11 54 May 27/10 55 10 year avg. (2005-2014) 68

Producers now have 87 per cent of the crop seeded, well ahead of the five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year (61 per cent), according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. Dry weather has allowed many producers to finish seeding while others will need another week or more.

The southwestern and west-central regions are nearing completion with 93 per cent of the crop in the ground. The northwestern region has 89 per cent seeded; the southeastern has 87 per cent seeded; the east-central region has 83 per cent seeded; and the northeastern region has 75 per cent seeded.

Little to no rain was received this week, with some areas in the northeastern region reporting 2 mm. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as four per cent surplus, 58 per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 49 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and 12 per cent very short. Rain is needed in much of the province to help with crop emergence and to recharge the topsoil that is getting dry in some areas.

The majority of emerged crops are either at or are behind their normal developmental stages for this time of year. They are in relatively good condition with most crop damage being caused by flea beetles, cutworms and lack of moisture. Despite heavy frost in many areas early last week, most crops were not damaged; however, there has been some re-seeding of oilseed crops.

Pasture conditions are rated as four per cent excellent, 44 per cent good, 32 per cent fair, 14 per cent poor and six per cent very poor.

Farmers are busy finishing seeding operations, controlling weeds and moving cattle.

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)

Seeding progress nearly doubled in the east-central region thanks to warm and dry weather. Eighty-three per cent of the crop is now in the ground. This is up from 42 per cent last week. Many producers will need at least another week of warm and dry weather to get the remainder of their crop seeded.

Little to no rain fell this week, helping to dry up areas with excess moisture. The Bradwell area has received 91 mm of rainfall since April 1, the greatest amount for both the region and the province. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as six per cent surplus, 68 per cent adequate, 25 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as eight per cent surplus, 60 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and four per cent very short. While some areas are in need of rain to help crops emerge, other areas need heat to help dry fields.

Crop emergence and development is slower than normal, although crops are in good condition. Sixty-five per cent of fall cereals, 71 per cent of spring cereals, 74 per cent of oilseeds and 79 per cent of pulses are at their normal developmental stages for this time of year. Some canola fields have been damaged by flea beetles and there are reports of producers spraying. Frost received last week damaged some crops and alfalfa fields but the majority of crops affected have recovered; however, there has been some re-seeding of canola in some areas.

Rainfall is needed for hay land and pastures to become greener in many areas. Pasture conditions are rated as five per cent excellent, 51 per cent good, 34 per cent fair and 10 per cent poor.

Farmers are busy finishing up seeding, controlling weeds, picking rocks and moving cattle.