Seeding is nearing completion in the province with 97 per cent of the crop in the ground, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. Progress continues to be well ahead of the five-year (2010-2014) average of 73 per cent seeded for this time of year.

The west-central region is reporting that 99 per cent of the crop is now seeded. The southwestern region has 98 per cent seeded; the southeastern, northeastern and northwestern regions have 97 per cent seeded; and the east-central region has 94 per cent seeded.

Heavy frost late last week has caused damage to crops and producers continue to assess the damage; some re-seeding has occurred. Crop conditions vary across the province but most crops are in fair to good condition. Concerns about crop germination and emergence continue in many areas that have not received much rainfall since April. Flea beetles and cutworms are causing damage in some canola crops across the province.

Some areas of the province received rain this past week, ranging from small amounts to over an inch in parts of the southwestern and northwestern regions. Rain is needed in much of the province to help recharge the topsoil. Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as three per cent surplus, 51 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and nine per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 41 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 16 per cent very short.

Farmers are busy finishing 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)

Seeding operations are nearly complete in the region as 94 per cent of the crop is seeded, up from 83 per cent last week. Hard frost late last week significantly damaged emerged crops and many fields are being re-seeded. Like much of the province, the east-central region could use some rain and warm weather to help crops emerge and develop.

Rain this past week ranged from nil to 22 mm in the Earl Grey area. The Craik area reported the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1, with 92 mm. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as seven per cent surplus, 57 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Crop District 5B is reporting that six per cent of cropland is very short topsoil moisture while CD 6A is reporting that 10 per cent of hay land and pasture is very short topsoil moisture at this time.

Most crops in the region are in fair to good condition, although emergence has been slower than normal. Flea beetles, frost and lack of moisture have caused the majority of crop damage this week. Farmers are busy finishing up seeding, controlling pests and assessing whether to re-seed or not.