Another great week for seeding in Saskatchewan.

According to today’s crop report, 89 percent of seeding has been completed, up from 68 percent the previous week, but slightly behind the 5-year average of 92 percent for this time of year.

The northwest region is almost done at 97 percent complete, the west central is 94 percent, and the southwest is 90 percent, while the southeast is at 80 percent, as excess moisture in the eastern regions have slowed progress.

Of the crops seeded, peas (95 percent), lentils (94 percent), chickpeas (94 percent) and mustard (94 percent) lead the way, while “oats (78 per cent) and flax (80 per cent) are the crops with the least amount of seed in the ground for the province.”

Crops Extension Specialist MacKenzie Hladun says scattered showers around the province helped with soil moisture conditions.

Provincially, cropland soil moisture conditions are rated as 5 percent surplus, 76 percent adequate, 17 percent short and 2 percent very short. Pasture and Hayland moisture is rated as 3 percent excess, 69 percent adequate, 24 percent short, and 4 percent very short.

The Arborfield region got the most rain with 69mm, the Borden region 67mm, and the Eyebrow region just 2mm.

There was some minor flooding this week, light frosts and some dry conditions contributing to crop damage.

Despite that, Hladun says crop conditions have been excellent.

Spring wheat is rated as being in the best condition, with 27 percent of the province’s crop being excellent and 60 percent being good. This is followed by barley (23 percent excellent, 65 percent good) and peas (23 percent excellent, 64 percent good), and mustard and chickpeas are currently at 7 percent of the crop being excellent provincially.

You can hear the interview with Crops Extension Specialist MacKenzie Hladun below.

A region-by-region breakdown for the period of May 23-29 is below.

Southeast

Producers in southeast Saskatchewan are making great seeding progress in the face of excess moisture in the region. Eighty per cent of this year’s crop is currently seeded in the southeast. This is behind the five-year (2018-22) average of 89 per cent. Producers are still progressing despite the rain showers this week.

Chickpeas and lentils lead the seeding progress in the region, with 93 per cent of chickpeas and 90 per cent of lentils seeded for the year. The crops with the least amount of seeding completed are oats (74 per cent), canola (74 per cent), and soybeans (67 per cent).

Rain was recorded throughout the southeast this week. The Regina region recorded the most rain, with 42 mm received this week. The recent rain and thunderstorms in the region have increased topsoil moisture levels in both cropland and pastures. Currently, 12 per cent of cropland has a surplus of topsoil moisture, 83 per cent is adequate, 5 per cent is short, while less than 1 per cent is very short. Pasture and hayland topsoil moisture levels are very similar with 4 per cent having a surplus of topsoil moisture, 82 per cent is adequate, 13 per cent short, and 2 per cent very short.

Crops across the region are generally in excellent to good condition. Both spring wheat and barley are rated as having 37 per cent of the crop in excellent condition this week. Fall rye is the least excellent crop this week with 13 per cent of the crop rated as being in excellent condition. Producers in the region are noting minor damage in the crops due to flooding, wind, flea beetles and grasshopper pressure in emerging crops.

Producers have begun field scouting in their emerging crops, and some have begun in-crop spraying. Producers are also starting to brand cattle and move them between pastures in the area.

Southwest

The southwest part of the province has 90 per cent of this year’s crop in the ground. This is just behind the five-year (2018-22) average of 92 per cent. Timely rains were received this week as producers were completing seeding operations.

Canary seed is estimated to be 100 per cent seeded in the southwest. Field peas, barley, and mustard are all 95 per cent seeded and are also leading in seeded crops the region. Triticale (75 per cent) and flax (78 per cent) are the crops with the least amount of seeding complete.

Rain was reported across the region this week, ranging from 34 mm (Shaunavon region) to 2 mm (Eyebrow region). Cropland topsoil moisture in the region is generally adequate for germinating crops, with 23 per cent of topsoil moisture levels being short. Pasture and hayland also have generally adequate moisture, with 33 per cent being short.

Crops in the region are generally in good to fair condition. Fall rye (27 per cent) and lentils (26 per cent) are the crops in the most excellent condition for the southwest region. Winter wheat is currently the crop in the worst condition in the region, with 16 per cent in good condition and 84 per cent in fair condition. Producers in the region are noting flea beetle and grasshopper pressure in their emerging crops.

Producers are working on wrapping up seeding operations as well as branding and moving cattle. Many areas in the region are still hoping for more precipitation to help the establishing crops and to keep the pastures and hay fields growing.

East-Central

The east-central region of Saskatchewan is 81 per cent seeded, this is just shy of the five-year (2018-22) average of 83 per cent. Producers in this region have been facing excess moisture in their fields which has prolonged seeding efforts for the year.

Seeding of peas and lentils has essentially been completed this week, with 99 per cent of this year’s crop in the ground. Spring wheat (89 per cent), durum (91 per cent), and mustard (90 per cent) are also leading the region in crops with the most seeding complete. Oats are the least seeded in the region with 60 per cent of this year’s crop in the ground.

Previous rains have kept the region in good topsoil moisture supply, however there are varying moisture levels within the region. Six per cent of topsoil has surplus moisture, 75 per cent is adequate, 14 per cent is short, and 5 per cent is very short. Four per cent of pasture and hayland in the region has surplus moisture, 68 per cent is adequate, 19 per cent is short, and 8 per cent is very short. Notable rain events in the region this week include 52 mm received in the Goodeve region.

Crops are generally in excellent to good condition, with spring wheat (25 per cent excellent) and lentils (26 per cent excellent) in the best condition overall. Flax condition has the largest variance in the region with seven per cent being excellent, 64 per cent good, and 29 per cent rated as fair. Producers are noting some minor flooding, wind, and insect damage in the region. There is also some damage due to drought like conditions.

Producers are pleased with how well the crops are emerging in the region and have started in-crop application of herbicides while also scouting their fields for any pests. Producers are also moving cattle out to pasture and branding.

West-Central

Producers in the west-central region of Saskatchewan have 94 per cent of this year’s crop seeded, barely behind the five-year (2018-22) average of 95 per cent. While some limited rain was received in the region, many producers are hoping for precipitation soon to help with germinating their newly seeded crop.

Chickpeas are completely seeded in west-central Saskatchewan, with 100 per cent of this year’s crop in the ground. Soybeans and lentils are also essentially complete with 99 per cent of the crop seeded. Oats are the crop with the lowest amount of acres seeded, currently sitting at 78 per cent.

Notable rain events this week in west-central Saskatchewan include 53 mm received in the Rosthern area. Topsoil moisture is still generally adequate in the region with 64 per cent of cropland having adequate topsoil moisture, 32 per cent is short, and 4 per cent is very short. Forty-seven per cent of pasture and hayland has adequate topsoil moisture, 46 per cent is short, and 7 per cent is very short.

Crops are generally in excellent to good condition in the region. Soybeans are in the best condition with 89 per cent in excellent condition. Eleven per cent of winter wheat is in excellent condition, which is the least for west-central Saskatchewan. Producers are noticing crop damage due to extreme dry conditions; they are also noting insect pressure in the newly emerging crop.

Rain was welcomed by those who received it and many are hoping for more. When completing seeding, producers are busy working cattle, picking rocks, and rolling newly planted crops.

Northeast

Producers in northeast Saskatchewan have completed 89 per cent of their seeding for the year. This is ahead of the five-year average (2018-22) of 86 per cent. Producers welcomed the rain they received this week although it stalled seeding progress momentarily.

Seeding of durum, soybeans, and chickpeas is complete for the northeast region, with 100 per cent of this year’s crop in the ground. Lentils are the least amount seeded, with 50 per cent of the planned acres seeded for the year.

Rain was received throughout the northeast this past week, with 69 mm being reported in the Arborfield area this week. The rain restored and brought excess topsoil moisture levels in the northeast. Sixteen per cent of cropland has surplus topsoil moisture, 82 per cent has adequate topsoil moisture, and 2 per cent is short. Fourteen per cent of pasture and hayland has a surplus of topsoil moisture, 79 per cent is adequate, and 7 per cent is short.

Crops are in excellent to good condition in the northeast. Winter wheat is the crop rated as being in the best condition in the northeast, with 80 per cent of the crop being excellent and 15 per cent being good. Soybeans are in fair condition (100 per cent). Damage in the area is reported from minor flooding and flea beetle pressure.

Producers are now watching their crops emerge and are scouting the fields for pests as well as preparing for in-crop spraying.

Northwest

The northwest leads the province in seeding progress with 97 per cent of seeding complete. This is ahead of the five-year (2018-22) average of 89 per cent. Producers are grateful for the rain received this week. However, more will be needed soon to keep crops in good condition.

Flax, mustard, soybeans, lentils, peas, canary seed and chickpea crops are all completely seeded in the northwest region. Oats are the least amount seeded so far, with 91 per cent of this year’s crop in the ground.

Notable rain this week includes 67 mm received in the Borden area. Rain was also spotty across the northwest this last week. These rains helped keep soil moisture at adequate levels. Seventy per cent of cropland has adequate soil moisture, 23 per cent is short, and 6 per cent is very short. Sixty-seven per cent of pasture and hayland has adequate soil moisture levels, 24 per cent is short, and 10 per cent is very short.

Crops are in excellent to good condition in the northwest. Soybeans are rated 70 per cent excellent in the region, which is the best rating for this week. Canola has the least rated as excellent condition, with 12 per cent of the crop. Producers are noting damage to the crop due to drought-like conditions, as well as flea beetles beginning to emerge.

Producers are busy scouting their newly emerging crops as well as starting their in-crop spraying programs. Most producers in the northwest have moved their cattle out to pasture for the summer.