Thanks to warm and dry weather, Saskatchewan producers have 15 per cent of the 2016 crop seeded, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. The five-year (2011-2015) seeding average for this time of year is four per cent. Many producers in the south have been seeding for several weeks, while those in the rest of the province are just getting into the field.
Seeding is most advanced in the southwest, where producers have 35 per cent of the crop in the ground. Eighteen per cent of the crop is seeded in the southeast; six per cent in the west-central region; three per cent in the northwest; two per cent in the east-central region; and one per cent in the northeast.
Provincially, 35 per cent of lentils, 31 per cent of field peas, 26 per cent of mustard, 24 per cent of chickpeas, 22 per cent of durum, 15 per cent of soybeans, 11 per cent of barley, nine per cent of flax, eight per cent of canola, seven per cent of spring wheat and canaryseed, and six per cent of oats have been seeded.
Very little to no rain fell on the province last week, although parts of the southwest received about half an inch. Many parts of the south and west will need rain soon to help crops germinate and emerge.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate, 19 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 64 per cent adequate, 31 per cent short and four per cent very short.
Producers are busy seeding, controlling weeds, working fields and moving cattle.
Follow the 2016 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.
