Seeding Wrapping Up at 76% Complete

SASKATOON - Jun 24/10 - SNS -- Seeding is wrapping up in Saskatchewan, with just 76% of all crops in the ground after another frustrating week for farmers, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly Crop Report.

"In general, the past weeks' rain has made seeding stressful and left many acres unseeded. It has caused flooding in many areas.

"Seeding is 96% complete in northwestern Saskatchewan; 89% complete in southwestern Saskatchewan; 91% complete in west-central Saskatchewan; 76% complete in southeastern Saskatchewan; 59% complete in east-central Saskatchewan and 50% complete in the northeast."

The provincial agriculture department said that across the province, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 64% surplus and 36% adequate.

So far, 52% of the province's fall-seeded cereals are at a normal stage of development, but 77% of the spring-seeded cereals, 77% of the oilseeds and 67% of the pulses are behind normal in development.

Crop reports found 75% and 80% of the winter wheat and fall rye are in good to excellent condition, respectively. At the same time, 77% of the spring wheat, 84% of the durum, 70% of the barley, 72% of the oats, 75% of the flax, 71% of the canola, 79% of the mustard, 83% of the lentils, 82% of the peas, 78% of the canaryseed and chickpeas are in good to fair condition.

Southeastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 1, 2, and 3ASE)

The region has approximately 76% of the 2010 crop in the ground. The region received an average of 54 mm of moisture during the past week. The Manor area received 92 mm, the Tantallon area 76 mm, the Weyburn area 63 mm, the Marquis area 132 mm and the Ceylon area 36 mm. So far this year, the region has received between 158 and 350 mm of rain.

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are reported as 73% surplus and 27% adequate. On hay land and pasture, topsoil moisture is rated as 42% surplus, 57% adequate and 1% short.

Warm and sunny weather is needed as crops in areas are under moisture stress. Weeds are becoming an issue. Farmers are busy with weed control as weeds are starting to get ahead of some crops. Farmers are applying fungicides. Wet areas in the fields are making navigation difficult at best. Areas north and west of Carlyle were flooded after five to seven inches of rain fell on June 18. Farmers are trying to assess the extent of flooding damage to crops. Crop development is variable because some crops were seeded early while others were just seeded late last week. Producers are trying roll pulses when the weather co-operates. Some farmers are planning to seed greenfeed or to plough down crops to use up some of the excess moisture in the fields. Hay and pasture continue to look good.

Southwestern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 3ASW, 3AN, 3B and 4)

Around 89% of the 2010 crop has been seeded. The acres that are left unseeded are still too wet to even attempt seeding. Crop reporters indicated some farmers are trying to seed annual forage crops. Parts of the region received significant rainfall last week, resulting in flooding and damage to roads, highways, fields and yards.

The Maple Creek area received the worst of the downpour – over seven inches of rain fell overnight on June 18. The region received an average of 62 mm of rain. The Limerick area received 30 mm, the Chaplin area 63 mm, the Shaunavon area 85 mm, the Lucky Lake area 81 mm, the Gull Lake area 173 mm, the Big Beaver area 14 mm and the Bengough area 19 mm. Other areas receiving more than 100 mm of rain for the week include Richmound, Fox Valley and Leader. So far for this year, the region has received between 139 and 376 mm of rain.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 47% surplus and 53% adequate. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are 24% surplus, 75% adequate and 1% short. Crop District 3AN is reporting 83% of the cropland has surplus topsoil moisture.

Crop damage has been caused by flooding and hail.

Hail damage was reported in the Spring Valley, Mossbank, Glenbain, Blumenhof, Shaunavon and Consul areas. Cutworms and wireworms are causing damage in the Webb area. Gophers are also causing crop damage.

Sun and heat are needed to relieve the seeded crops of excess moisture stress. Some areas are reporting that crops are looking good and emergence is even.

Ascochyta is starting to show up in chickpeas. A tornado touched down in the Limerick area on June 21, damaging bins and sheds. Farmers are busy trying to control weeds and applying top-up fertilizer where crops are showing signs of nutrient deficiency. Some farmers are rolling pulses despite the fact that their crops are too far advanced for safe rolling. Crop staging is variable across the region. The hay crop looks great. Cattle are doing well on pasture.

East-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 5 and 6a)

Farmers in the region have 59% of the crop in the ground. Heavy rain throughout the week did not help farmers deal with flooded acres or access land with equipment. The region received an average of 33 mm of rain. Seeding in the east-central region continues to be impeded by saturated soil and continuous rain. The Neudorf area recorded 77 mm of rain, the Foam Lake area received 50 mm, the Jansen area 52 mm and the Lintlaw and Raymore areas received 17 mm. So far for this year, the region has received between 158 and 404 mm of rain.

Topsoil moisture continues to increase as the rain continues. Cropland topsoil moisture is reported as 88% surplus and 12% adequate. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 69% surplus and 31% adequate.

Flooding is causing the majority of crop damage. Cutworms, flea beetles and leaf diseases are also damaging crops.

Low-lying areas continue to be flooded. Some farmers are still trying to seed. The recent brief break in wet weather in some areas provided some relief to crops that were water-stressed and behind normal in development. Farmers are controlling weeds and dodging sloughs. Weeds are too-far-advanced in growth to be easily controlled. Emergence is uneven is some areas because the seed rotted in the soil before it had a chance to emerge. Hay fields and pastures were doing well, but are also flooded in areas. Warm and dry weather is needed before haying equipment can get into the forage fields. Parts of some pastures cannot be grazed because of flooding. One crop reporter indicated this is the wettest spring on his farm since the family started keeping records in 1948.

West-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 6B and 7)

Roughly 91% of the region's crops have been seeded. An average of 56 mm of rain fell on the region. The Hanley area received 59 mm, the Eston area 129 mm, the Kindersley area 123 mm, the Brock area 107 mm and the Biggar area 65 mm. The Sonningdale and Macklin areas recorded the least amount of precipitation – 24 mm. So far for this year, the region has received between 188 and 320 mm of rain.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 53% surplus and 47% adequate. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 34% surplus and 66% adequate.

The majority of crop damage is due to flooding. Cutworm and leaf disease damage is showing up.

Hail damage was reported in the Kerrobert area.

The week's rain stopped seeding and weed control operations. Weed control is an issue as some fields are very wet and some crops are getting past the weed control stage. Some farmers will be putting in oats or barley for greenfeed. Flooding has resulted in some crop loss. Crops are behind normal in development, but look to be in good condition, especially where there is good drainage.

However, entire crops have turned yellow in areas. Crops progressed quickly during the few days of warm, sunny weather. Hay and pasture are looking very good.

Northeastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 8 and 9AE)

The northeastern region has 50% of the 2010 crop in the ground. No seeding progress was made during the week. An average of 37 mm of rain fell on already saturated fields. The Tisdale area received 49 mm, the Melfort area 50 mm and the Garrick area 31 mm. So far this year, the region has received between 163 and 332 mm of rain.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 89% surplus and 11% adequate. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 81% surplus and 19% adequate.

Crop damage is due to flooding. Cutworms are causing damage in the Star City, Arborfield and Nipawin areas. Leaf diseases and root rots are also causing crop damage. Hail was reported in the Garrick area, and the extent of the damage is still being assessed.

Crop reporters are indicating that seeding is done for 2010. Farmers are now concentrating on weed control and dealing with excess moisture in fields. Weeds are starting to get ahead of crops.

Entire crops have turned yellow in some areas. Crop conditions and development are variable due to the extended and wet seeding season. The couple of days of sunny weather during the week provided some relief for stressed crops.

Northwestern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 9AW and 9B)

Seeding is 96% complete for the region. The rains missed much of the region, allowing producers to get some field work done. The region received an average of 7 mm of rain. The Hafford area received 32 mm; the North Battleford area 20 mm. Many areas received less than 10 mm of moisture. The Turtleford and Frenchman Butte areas recorded no rain for the week. So far for this year, the region has received between 146 and 291 mm of rain.

Topsoil moisture conditions for cropland are 4% surplus, 92% adequate and 4% short. Pasture and hay land conditions are 2% surplus, 95% adequate and 3% short.

The majority of crop damage was caused by flooding. Cutworm damage was reported in the Speers, North Battleford and Barthel areas.

Crops are emerging and looking good for the most part, but are behind in development. Farmers are putting in greenfeed and crops for swath-grazing. Some low-lying acres have been lost to standing water. Early seeded crops are looking better than the later seeded crops. Farmers are controlling weeds. Some have indicated a second herbicide application is warranted due to the later flush of weeds. Applications of cutworm control were reported in the Speers area. Heat and sun would be appreciated to get things going. Some crops are yellowing under the heavy rain due to excess moisture stress. Hay and pastures look good.