REGINA — Seeding progress climbed throughout many regions in the past week, despite a storm that brought snow and rain to parts of the province. Fifty-two per cent of the 2022 crop is now seeded, up from 33 per cent last week. This is still behind the five-year average (2017-2021) of 78 per cent for this time of year. The rainfall received over the past week in drier areas will help improve soil moisture conditions and establishment of early seeded crops.
The west central region is the farthest along with 81 per cent of the crop seeded. Seventy-six per cent of the crop is seeded in the northwest, 73 per cent seeded in the southwest, 44 per cent seeded in the southeast, 22 per cent seeded in the northeast and 21 per cent seeded in the east-central region of the province.
The east received significant amounts of precipitation. The Hudson Bay area reported 88 mm, the Jedburgh area 85 mm, the Rama area 83 mm, the Indian Head area 32 mm and the Biggar and Cando areas 11 mm. While rain is welcome in the eastern half of the province, many producers are eager to continue their seeding operations.
Soil moisture continues to improve across the province, mainly in the eastern regions where most of the spring precipitation was received. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 15 per cent surplus, 58 per cent adequate, 18 per cent short and nine per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 63 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and eleven per cent very short.
Pasture conditions are rated as 10 per cent excellent, 27 per cent good, 36 per cent fair, 16 per cent poor and 11 per cent very poor. Pastures in the western half of province are struggling to establish this spring due to very limited precipitation causing many livestock producers in the area to continue to feed cattle on farm.
Earlier seeded crops have started to emerge where moisture is sufficient, but cool weather over the past week has slowed development of many crops. In general, most crops are rated as normal for their development except for canola, which was rated as 67 per cent behind. This is likely due to the extremely dry conditions in the southwest and west central regions, delaying growth and the recent cool weather across the whole province. Most of the crop damage this week was due to minor flooding, light frosts, drought conditions and flea beetles. Producers continue to report that there is a shortage of farm equipment parts. There are also some reports of input and herbicide shortages throughout the province.
Southeastern Crop Region
Seeding is progressing slowly with the most progress being seen in the western half of the region. Forty-four per cent of the crop is now in the ground, up from 17 per cent last week but behind the five-year average (2017-2021) of 81 per cent for this time of year. Seeding has been continually delayed due to rain, snow and cool weather since the beginning of the 2022 growing season.
Compared to previous weeks, there was less precipitation received across the region, however, some areas still received enough rain to delay seeding for a couple days. The Moosomin area received 40 mm, the Grenfell area 36 mm, the Indian Head area 32 mm and the Broadview and Odessa areas 24 mm. Heat is now needed to accelerate growth of both crop and pasture land since adequate moisture has been received so far.
The topsoil moisture levels across the region continue to improve. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 34 per cent surplus, 60 per cent adequate, three per cent short and three per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate, nine per cent short, and three per cent very short. Pasture conditions are rated as 20 per cent excellent, 51 per cent good, 24 per cent fair, four per cent poor and one per cent very poor.
Due to cool rainy weather over the past several weeks, crop emergence was slow and now development of most crops in the region are rated as being behind normal. Most of the crop damage that did occur this week was due to frost and flooding.
Southwestern Crop Region
Rain and snowfall that passed through the region last week caused some minor delays. While it is a danger to crops like canola, it was still a welcome form of precipitation. Seventy-three per cent of the crop is now in the ground across the region, up from 60 per cent last week and just behind the five-year average (2017-2021) for this time of year. Crop emergence has been uneven and crops are slow to grow due to drought like conditions.
Many areas of the region received small amounts of welcome precipitation over the past week. The Gull Lake area received the most with 22 mm, the Shaunavon and Maple Creek areas 12.5 mm and the vanguard, Moose Jaw and Swift Current areas nine mm. More rain is desperately needed in the region to improve soil moisture of both cropland and pastures.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 59 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and 17 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 47 per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and 23 per cent very short. Pasture conditions are rated as ten per cent excellent, eleven per cent good, 39 per cent fair and 18 per cent poor and 22 per cent very poor. It is reported that many community pastures in the region are not in good enough condition to sustain cattle and might become closed to grazing for the summer, causing producers to pull cattle back and continue to bale feed.
Overall, crop development is rated as normal for this time of year, despite an abnormally dry spring. However, without more rain crops will soon become stunted. Most of the crop damage this week was mainly caused by frost, which may cause some reseeding of canola and mustard. Gopher populations are reported to be very high and could be cause for concern once crops are up in fields.
East-Central Crop Region
21 per cent of the crop is seeded in the east-central region. This is up from 13 per cent last week and well behind the five-year average (2017-2021) of 64 per cent for this time of year. The recent rainy weather delayed seeding but will allow a moisture reserve in the soil for crops to draw. Some producers have begun alternative seeding methods such as using broadcast spreaders to get the crop in areas where fields are extremely wet.
Many parts of the region received significant amounts of rain over the past week, mainly on the weekend. The Rhein area received the most with 86 mm, the Rama area 82.5, the Foam Lake area 74 mm, the Lipton area 58 mm, the Langenburg area 40 mm and the Raymore area 32 mm.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 30 per cent surplus, 62 per cent adequate, seven per cent short, one per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 16 per cent surplus, 73 per cent adequate, ten per cent short and one per cent very short. Pasture conditions are rated as 16 per cent excellent, 27 per cent good, 38 per cent fair, 15 per cent poor and four per cent very poor.
Overall, most of the crops are behind in development for this time of year due very wet soil conditions are and the cool overnight temperatures of the past few weeks. Most of the crop damage this week was from frost, flooding and hail that occurred during the rainstorms.
There are growing reports of a possible pre-seed and in crop herbicide shortage in the region as well as no extra fertilizer is available, producers will have to stretch their inputs as far as they can.
West-Central Crop Region
Parts of the region finally experienced some rain delays this past week, however, most producers were able to keep their momentum with seeding. Eighty-one per cent of the crop acres in the region are now seeded, this is up from 53 per cent last week and well ahead of the five year-average (2017-2021) of 74 per cent. The moisture received was not enough to improve soil moisture conditions.
Some of the west-central region received some rain this week, this rain was desperately needed to green up crop and pasture land. The Rosthern area reported the highest amount of rain in the region with 19 mm, the Tugaske area 14 and Sonningdale areas 14 mm and the Langham area 12 mm.
Rain received this week did little to improve moisture conditions in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture rated as 33 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 23 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 30 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and 33 per cent very short.
Extremely dry soil conditions have slowed pasture and hay land growth. Producers have indicated that significant rains will be needed improve pastures to a point where cattle can graze them all summer long. Pasture conditions are rated as zero per cent excellent, seven per cent good, 26 per cent fair, 36 per cent poor and 31 per cent very poor.
Due to the overly dry conditions, crops are rated as normal to behind in their developmental stage for this time of year. Similar to pastures, the cool night time temperatures and dry conditions have slowed growth of most crops. Most of the crop damage this week is due to strong wings, light frost and drought. Producers are continuing to assess damage from frost and watching for flea beetles.
Northeastern Crop Region
Producers in the region are starting to begin seeding in larger numbers and hopefully with some warm weather will be able to make good progress in the coming weeks. Currently only 22 per cent of the crop has been seeded, this is up from eight per cent last week and well behind the five-year average (2017-2021) of 64 per cent.
Moisture conditions are good is most areas of the region with many low laying areas holding water. The most rainfall was reported in the Hudson Bay area where 88 mm was received, 56 mm in the Tisdale area, 31 mm in the Nipawin area, 22 mm in the Lake Lenore and Melfort areas and finally 14 mm in the Humboldt area.
Moisture conditions in the northeast are very good, with most of the crop, pasture and hay land having enough moisture to support plant germination and growth. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 19 per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate and one per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 13 per cent surplus, 86 per cent adequate and one per cent short. Pasture conditions are rated as three per cent excellent, 47 per cent good, 47 per cent fair and three per cent poor.
Most of the crops are behind in their developmental stage for this time of year due to frequent precipitation and cool days. There were reports of crop damage from frost and flooding over the week; low spots in some fields have become submerged. Producers will be out assessing damage over the next couple days.
Northwestern Crop Region
The producers in the northwest have made great progress this past week, seeding is now at 76 per cent up from 35 per cent last week and ahead of the five-year average (2017-2021) of 68 per cent of this time of year.
Like the rest of the western half of the province, the northwest saw much needed rainfall over the past week. The Glaslyn area reported 81 mm, the Livelong 68 mm, the Spiritwood area 59 mm and the Speers and Barthel areas with 22 mm.
Moisture conditions in the area are good to support crop, pasture and hay land development but more moisture will be needed in the coming weeks to ensure plant growth. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 70 per cent adequate and two per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 62 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and three per cent very short. Pasture conditions are rated 19 per cent good, 50 per cent fair, 30 per cent poor and one per cent very poor.
Overall, crop development is behind for this time of year. Emergence has been delayed due to cool conditions and lack of moisture. There were reports of light frosts and localized flooding in the region and producers are continuing to assess damage.
