Saskatchewan planting is nearing the halfway mark, with just limited rainfall the past week allowing significant progress in the fields.
The weekly Saskatchewan crop report on Thursday pegged overall planting across the province at 49% complete as of Monday, up 18 points from the previous week and comfortably ahead of the five- and 10-year averages of 32% and 34%. Some producers in the southwest region have already wrapped up planting for the year, the report added.
The southwest region continues to lead in planting progress at 76% complete as of Monday, followed by the northwest at 49%. The southeast, west-central, and northeast regions were all at 43% done as of Monday, with the east-central region bringing up the rear at 33% complete.
But while planting is advancing well, the report said warm, dry, and windy conditions are continuing to deplete topsoil moisture across the province. The highest reported rainfall this past week fell in the Marengo area at 14 mm, followed by the Wadena area at 13 mm. Many other areas reported just trace to limited rainfall for the week.