Good Pulse Seeding Progress in Saskatchewan

REGINA - May 7/09 - SNS -- Seeding of this year's pulse crops made good progress during the past week, with Saskatchewan's agriculture ministry estimating 16% of all peas have been seeded in the province along with 11% of the intended lentil crop.

Seeding of all crops now stands at 4% complete, up from 3% last week, but just behind the recent five-year average of 6% complete by the first week of May.

The southern and southwestern regions of the province have 8% and 10% of the crop in the ground, respectively. About 2% is planted in the west-central region, and the rest of the province reports close to 1% of the crop is in the ground.

When broken down on a crop-by-crop basis, 16% of field peas, 11% of lentils, 5% of mustard, 9% of triticale and 6% of durum have been seeded in the province.

Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions are reported as 73% adequate on crop land and 70% adequate on hay and pasture land. However, areas short of topsoil moisture are expanding in the west-central, southwestern, northwestern and northern regions.

The snow that fell in the south between April 19 and 26 melted quickly and did little to further delay field operations.

Seeding has started, with 1% of the crop in the ground. Canola, field peas, durum and wheat are being seeded. There was an average of 22mm of rain during the past week. Temperatures were still cool, but slowly warming, and things are greening up. Farmers are getting prepared for seeding, taking cattle to pasture, and applying fertilizer and weed control products.

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are 26% surplus and 72% adequate. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture conditions are 90% adequate.

Seeding is off to a good start in the area, with an average of 10% of the crop seeded. Crop districts 3BN and 4B have 26 and 30% of the crop seeded, respectively. Peas, canola, lentils, canaryseed, mustard and cereals are being seeded. About 27% of the peas and 15% of the lentils and mustard are seeded.

Topsoil moisture conditions for cropland are 66% adequate and 32% short. Pasture and hay land topsoil moisture conditions are 66% adequate and 27% short. The amount of land that is short of topsoil moisture has increased from the previous crop report.

Farmers have just started seeding, with 1% of the crop in the ground. Around 4% of peas, 2% of lentils and 1% of canola and wheat have been seeded. Farmers were also busy with rock picking, pre-seeding weed control and fertilizer applications, as well as taking cattle to pasture.

Topsoil moisture conditions for cropland are 9 adequate. Hay and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are 84% adequate and 14% short.

Farmers have just nicely started in the fields, with an average of 2% of the crop seeded. About 9% of field peas and 4% of lentils have been seeded. Cereal crops are beginning to go into the ground as well. Some areas have up to 30% of peas and lentils seeded.

Cropland topsoil moisture conditions for the area are 52% adequate, 40% short and 8% very short. Hay and pasture land is sitting at 30% adequate, 55% short and 15% very short. Rain is needed.

Farmers are busy seeding, preparing for seeding, applying fertilizer, picking rocks and controlling weeds.

Roughly 4% of field peas, 2% of lentils and 2% of wheat have been seeded. The past week was cool and windy. Rain would be welcome in most areas. There were very few reports of precipitation in this CD.

Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are 87% adequate and 1 short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture conditions are 80% adequate and 19% short.

Seeding has just nicely begun, with an average of 1% of the crop in the ground. Around 5% of field peas, 1% of canola and 1% of spring wheat have been seeded. Cool, windy conditions were experienced at the beginning of the week, but temperatures had started to climb by the week’s end. There were no reports of rain during the past week. This area is in need of moisture.

Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are currently 68% adequate and 3 short. The hay and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are 69% adequate and 25% short. Farmers are busy seeding, preparing for seeding, picking rocks and taking cattle to pasture.