Slow start to spring seeding across the Southwest

Seeding operations are now underway in Southwest Saskatchewan according to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s debut Crop Report of 2018.

The regional report covering the period of April 24 to 30 highlighted that some producers around Admiral, Maple Creek and Swift Current have begun seeding operations.

The start of 2018 field work is behind the five-year average of six per cent of seeding being completed after the cool and late spring. Saskatchewan producers are well off the five-year high of 14 per cent completed during the May 4, 2015 crop report, and the 12 per cent as of the May 2, 2016 crop report.

In the Southwest, scattered showers in the region helped settle the dust in areas experiencing dry conditions following the melt of the snow pack.

At the end of April, cropland topsoil moisture conditions were rated as 68 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short, and six per cent very short. Conditions on hay land and pasture were also concerning, with topsoil moisture rated as 63 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and five per cent very short.

Producers remain worried about dry weather even through soil moisture conditions are generally adequate to get the seed into the ground.

Province wide, portions of northern and eastern Saskatchewan are dealing with higher field moisture conditions.

The Crop Report also notes that with a low yielding hay crop in 2017, combined with an extended cold winter and the slow arrival of spring, many livestock producers are feeding alternative feed sources and feed grains in advance of the green up of pastures.

Winter wheat survival will continue to be monitored, as it is currently too early to make an accurate assessment.