Saskatchewan Seeding Reaches 88% Complete

Saskatchewan producers made good seeding progress again this past week, with most crops developing normally. 

Thursday’s crop report estimated provincewide seeding at 88% complete as of Monday, up from 72% a week earlier and ahead of the five- and 10-year averages of 82% and 85%. 

Rainfall was variable across the province with some producers in the southeast regions experiencing increased amounts. The highest reported rainfall was in the Weyburn area at 66 millimetres (mm). However, other areas reported dry, windy conditions, and topsoil moisture levels did show some erosion compared to a week earlier. 

Cropland topsoil moisture across the province was rated 4% surplus, 65% adequate and 27% short as of Monday, versus 6% surplus, 69% adequate, 22% short, and 3% very short the previous week. 

Fall cereals are currently rated at 89% normal crop development for this time of year, with 7% ahead and 4% behind normal. Spring cereals are estimated to be 73% normal with 13% ahead and 14% behind. Pulse crops are rated at 76% normal, along with 10% ahead and 14% behind. Oilseed development is 73% normal, 7% ahead, and 20% behind. 

The southwest is the furthest advanced in seeding progress at 95% complete, followed closely by the west-central region at 94%, the northwest region at 93% and the northeast region at 92%. The east-central and southeast regions are the furthest behind at 81% and 80%, respectively.