Seeding Progress Slowing in Saskatchewan

REGINA - Jun 6/06 - SNS -- Wet weather in northern Saskatchewan is making it hard for farmers to finish seeding this year's crops, with the result progress has now fallen behind the recent five year average, according to the latest crop progress report from Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food,

Seeding is now 88% complete across the province, behind the average of 83% complete for this time of the and 93% at this time last year. In fact, it is the lowest percentage complete for the first week of June since 1999, when only 68% of the crop was in the ground by this time.

The southwest continues to be the most advanced with 98% of the seeding completed, while the northeast continues to be the least advanced with 73% completed. The east central region has 77% of the crop seeded. A number of rural municipalities in these areas report less than half of the crop has been seeded due to saturated fields.

Across the province, spring cereal development was rated normal by 68% of reporters, with 21% rating development as behind schedule. Oilseed development was rated as normal by 68% of reporters, with 26% of crop reporters rating development as behind. Pulse crop development was rated normal by 71% of reporters, with 19% rating development as behind.

Sixty-one percent of reporters rated fall cereal development as normal, while 33% rated development as ahead of normal. Over 75% of all crops were rated in good to excellent condition.

Flooding caused the most damage to crops during the past week. Other sources of crop damage included wind, drought, hail, insects (flea beetles, cut worms, wire worms, aphids), disease (tan spot, rust), and gophers. Spraying for weed control is underway as weather conditions allow.

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