Progress made for producers as seeding increases: report

Crop producers in Saskatchewan have made “substantial progress” in seeding over the past week, the province says in its latest crop report.

According to the report for the period of May 9-15, seeding is 38 per cent complete — up 29 per cent over the previous reporting period. While that is below the five-year average of 53 per cent, it is almost on track with the 10-year average of 44 per cent, the province said on Thursday.

According to the report, seeding is “more advanced in the western half” of Saskatchewan, with 55 per cent of crop in the ground in the northwest, 54 per cent in the west-central areas and 43 per cent in the southwest.

The southeast region, at 18 per cent, has the least amount of acres seeded in Saskatchewan. Wet fields in the southeast and east-central regions have slowed fieldwork, the province said.

According to the report, field peas are 54 per cent seeded, followed by lentils at 50 per cent and spring wheat at 43 per cent.

The crops with the least amount of seeding progress, according to the province: oats and canola at 19 per cent each, flax at 10 per cent and soybeans at seven per cent.

Provincial topsoil moisture levels, meanwhile, “have shifted slightly from adequate to short,” according to the report. Topsoil moisture for cropland is 69 per cent adequate and 24 per cent short. Pasture and hayland topsoil moisture followed a similar pattern during the most recent period, with 63 per cent being adequate and 28 per cent short.

Producers have also been busy seeding while watching their early seeded crops emerge. According to the province, many producers are applying pre-seed herbicide and pre-working their fields ahead of seeding. Cattle are being moved out to greening pastures and branding has started.