Eighty-two per cent of the 2011 crop has been seeded according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's Weekly Crop Report. The five year (2006-2010) average for this time of year is approximately 92 per cent seeded. Last year at this time, 73 per cent of the 2010 crop had been seeded.
Rain and thunder showers were recorded for most of the province during the past week. Producers in the west central and northern regions are near seeding completion. Producers in the southern regions made some progress. However, the weather and field conditions continue to be very challenging.
The southeast is reporting 44 per cent seeded, the southwest 82 per cent, the east-central 86 per cent, the west central 99 per cent, the northeast 98 per cent and the northwest is reporting 99 per cent of the crop seeded.
Across the province, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 29 per cent surplus, 57 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 28 per cent surplus, 54 per cent adequate, 14 per cent short and four per cent very short.
Sixty-five per cent of the oilseeds, 66 per cent of the pulse crops and sixty-seven per cent of the spring cereals are behind normal in development. Forty-five per cent of the fall cereals are at normal stages of development.
Sixty-six per cent of the winter wheat, 79 per cent of the spring wheat, 81 per cent of the durum, 74 per cent of the canola, 82 per cent of the lentils, and 77 per cent of the field peas are in good to fair condition. The majority of crop damage is due to flooding and frost. Cutworms and wireworms are also causing damage in some areas.
Farmers are busy seeding, hauling cattle to pasture and controlling weeds.
