Saskatchewan Worries About Germination

REGINA - May 21/02 - STAT -- Good seeding progress was recorded in Saskatchewan during the past week, but the province's growers are becoming increasing worried about slow germination rates.

In its latest weekly crop report, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food noted moisture conditions continue to improve in several important crop production zones; but this is coming from snow and cold rains.

This is because temperatures are colder than usual, a factor which is slowing germination and could force some fields to be reseeded on account of uneven and/or poor germination.

A similar story is being played out in Manitoba. Seeding of specialty crops other than dry edible beans is nearing completion in many parts of the province, but germination is slow. Some fields were planted three to four weeks ago and seeds have not yet germinated.

This could become a concern, not only because of the risk of late or uneven germination, but because some seeds could rot in those locations where soils are damp.

Planting of all crops is now 46% complete in Saskatchewan, which is behind the five-year (1997-2001) average of 57%. Seeding is most advanced in the southwest with almost 70% of the crop planted. Farmers in the southeast are least advanced with 31% of their crop in the ground.

Seeding progress on a crop basis varies. Field peas are 79% seeded, followed by lentils at 64%, chickpeas at 68%, durum at 50%, spring wheat at 50% and spring rye at 55%.

               Saskatchewan -- Seeding Progress to May 19
                        (per cent in the ground)
                 1998        1999        2000        2001        2002
Week Ending    May 24      May 22      May 20      May 19      May 18
Flaxseed         86.0         7.0        55.0        42.0        13.0
Canola           91.0        27.0        83.0        67.0        34.0
Spring Wheat     96.0        32.0        82.0        78.0        50.0
Durum Wheat      97.0        33.0        81.0        79.0        50.0
Oats             81.0        11.0        56.0        45.0        22.0
Barley           90.0        20.0        56.0        67.0        38.0
Rye              93.0        26.0        90.0        31.0        55.0
SOURCE: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Discussing the situation in the province, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food noted souther crop districts experienced another week of cool nights and windy days. An average of 2 mm of precipitation (rain and snow) was reported, with amounts of up to 15 mm reported in Crop District (CD) 2b. Temperatures dropped to freezing most nights. Strong winds continued to cause soil erosion and delay field operations right across the grainbelt.

Seeding operations have advanced to 45% complete across the grainbelt, up from 16% last week. Crop District 4b is the most advanced at 82% complete, while CD 1a is least advanced at 20% complete. Peas, chickpeas, and lentils are reported as at least 60% planted. Many farmers are waiting for rain before they seed crops like flax and canola.

Germination and emergence have been slow due to cold, dry soil. There are reports of reseeding being necessary due to wind erosion (canola) and nongermination (peas).

Topsoil moisture conditions on crop land are rated as fair to good by 65% of reporters. In the southwest, over 55% of reporters rate topsoil moisture conditions as poor. Topsoil moisture conditions on hay and pasture land are rated as poor by 60% of southern reporters.

In central crop districts the weather continued cool and windy for much of the past week. An average of only 1 mm of precipitation (rain and snow) was reported, with amounts of up to 13 mm reported in CD 6b. Temperatures dropped to freezing most nights. Strong winds continued to cause soil erosion and delay field operations right across the grainbelt.

Seeding operations have advanced to 47% complete across the grainbelt, up from 12% last week. Crop District 7a is the most advanced at 72% complete, while CDs 5a and 6a are least advanced at 37% complete. Peas, spring rye, and lentils are reported as at least 65% planted.

Many farmers are waiting for rain before they seed crops like flax, canola, mustard and canaryseed. It is expected that more land will be seeded to cereal crops for greenfeed or grazing. Germination and emergence have been slow due to cold, dry soil.

Topsoil moisture conditions on crop land are rated as poor by 86% of reporters. The odd east central area reports good topsoil moisture conditions.

Northern Saskatchewan had a week of cool, windy weather with an average of only 1 mm of precipitation reported. Crop District 8a received the only measurable amount of precipitation. Temperatures dropped to freezing most nights which has been hard on young grass and forages. Strong winds continued to cause soil erosion and delay field operations right across the grainbelt.

Seeding operations have advanced to 49% complete across the northern grainbelt, up from 8% last week. Crop District 8a is the most advanced at 55% complete, while CD 9b is least advanced at 43% complete. Peas and spring wheat are reported as at least 60% planted. Many farmers are waiting for rain before they seed crops like flax and canola.

Early seeded wheat and peas are emerging in the northwest. There have been reports of seeds rotting in the ground. Topsoil moisture conditions on crop land are rated as poor by 67% of reporters. The odd northeast area reports good topsoil moisture conditions. Topsoil moisture conditions on hay and pasture land are rated as poor by 100% of northern reporters.

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