Seeding delayed, moisture conditions good

Farmers put one-sixth of the crop in by the end of May 13 but were still behind the five year average.

Thirty-two per cent of fields were planted down from 54 per cent average as rains delayed progress.

Seeding was most advanced in the southwest at 45 per cent and 36 per cent in the southeast, which includes Moose Jaw.

Provincially, pulse crops led seeding at 53 per cent of field peas, 50 per cent of lentils and 39 per cent of chickpeas.

Thirty-eight per cent of durum was in with 36 per cent of spring wheat and 22 per cent of oats.

Among oilseeds, 24 per cent of mustard was done, 17 per cent of canola and seven per cent of flax.

Only eight per cent of soybeans were planted.

Moisture conditions are good with ratings for crop land at four per cent surplus, 86 per cent adequate, nine per cent short and one per cent very short.

Pasture land moisture is rated two per cent surplus. 81 per cent adequate, 16 per cent short and two per cent very short.

In the southeast, 17 per cent of pastures were short or very shorts of moisture while in the southwest that number was 13 per cent.