SOUTHWESTERN SASKATCHEWAN CROP REGION — The southwest is on track for seeding progress. Currently, 60 per cent of the crop has been seeded in the region and that is in line with the five-year average (2017-2021) of 60 per cent. Producers have been able to progress quickly with seeding due to the region being quite dry and not receiving the amount large amounts of rain received by other parts of the province. Across the region, 69 per cent of the field pea acres, 65 per cent of the lentil, 60 per cent of the canola, barley and durum and 50 per cent of the spring wheat have been seeded to date.
The southwest finally received some large amounts of rain and producers were happy to delay a day or two due to the moisture. The Big Beaver area received 87 mm, the Mossbank area 65 mm, the Limerick area 46 mm, the Webb and Gouldtown areas 31 mm and the Admiral area eight mm. This rain will benefit any emerging crops and improve the quality of germination across the region.
More rain would be welcome in the region to support crop development and help green up pastures. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 51 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and 20 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 33 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and 31 per cent very short.
Provincial overview: Lots of rain
Large amounts of rainfall are generally improving topsoil moisture and pasture conditions in the province, while also delaying seeding, particularly in the eastern half of the province. Producers who have been able to get in the field are making good progress, with 33 per cent of the 2022 crop now in the ground. As this is behind the five-year average (2017-2021) of 53 per cent, producers are hoping for some warm days to allow field work to advance.
Sixty per cent of the crop has been seeded in the southwest region, 53 per cent in the west central, 35 per cent in the northwest, 17 per cent in the southeast, 13 per cent in the east central and eight per cent in the northeast. Fifty-nine per cent of lentils, 57 per cent of field peas, 51 per cent of durum, 29 per cent of spring wheat and 27 per cent of barley have been seeded to date. Barley, peas and lentils have begun sprouting throughout the southwest and west central regions.
A significant weather system moved across the province in the latter half of the week, bringing lots of rainfall in some areas. The Estevan area reported more than 120 mm over two days, the Weyburn area 92 mm, the Big Beaver area 87 mm, the Moosomin area 75 mm and the Eyebrow area 35 mm. Many parts of the southwest, west central and northwest did not receive significant amounts rainfall and rain would be appreciated once seeding concludes.
With almost weekly rainfall events, topsoil moisture conditions continue to improve for the province. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 12 per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and 12 per cent very short. Hay and pastureland topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and 16 per cent very short. Pasturelands that have received moisture all spring are beginning to see good recovery from the 2021 drought and their carrying capacity of cattle is increasing.
