Seeding Jumps Forward in Saskatchewan

REGINA - May 23/13 - SNS -- Saskatchewan's farmers made excellent progress seeding this year's crops, with 27% of all intended acreage now planted in the province, up from 8$% last week, but down from the recent five-year average of 44%.

In its third crop report of the season, Saskatchewan Agriculture said seeding advanced in all regions of the province: 22% of the crop is seeded in the southeast; 51% in the southwest; 6% in the northeast; 22% in the northwest; 22% in the east-central area; and 29% in the west-central area.

Provincially, 52% of the field peas have been seeded; 46% of the lentils; 40% of the durum; 27% of the spring wheat; 23% of the canola; 20% of the mustard; 19% of the chickpeas; 12% of the barley; 6% of the flax; and 4% of the canary seed.

Precipitation this week ranged from trace amounts to more than two inches in the southeast region. Topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 14% surplus, 78% adequate and 8% short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 7% surplus, 78% adequate, 14% short and 1% very short.

Following are Saskatchewan Agriculture's regional comments:

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

Seeding is well underway and producers in the southeast now have 22% of the 2013 crop in the ground, up significantly from 4% last week. The five-year (2008-2012) average for this time of year is 43% of acres seeded.

So far, 41% of the field peas have been seeded, 33% of the lentils, 25% of the canola, 22% of the durum, 21% of the spring wheat, 11% of the barley and chickpeas, 6% of the flax and 5% of the mustard.

The region received significant precipitation in many areas over the weekend that has slowed down seeding progress. The Frobisher area received 51 mm, the Carnduff area 45 mm, the Manor area 25 mm, the Stoughton area 19 mm, the Maryfield area 7 mm, the Weyburn area 14 mm, the Radville area 10 mm and the Moose Jaw area 2 mm. Since April 1, the Frobisher area has received the greatest amount of precipitation (65 mm).

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 15% surplus, 82% adequate and 3% short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 7% surplus, 87% adequate and 6% short. Many producers have indicated that although some fields are still wet, the majority of them are dry and moisture will be needed in the coming weeks if the warm weather continues.

Pastures are growing in many areas and cattle are being moved. Weeds are also growing and producers are applying pre-seed herbicides when the winds are calm. Many early seeded crops such as lentils and durum have emerged, and in-crop herbicide applications will begin soon. There are indications that some winter wheat fields that were winterkilled will be reseeded to other crops.

Farmers are busy seeding, controlling weeds, working sloughs, branding cattle and fixing fences.

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

Warm and relatively dry conditions have allowed producers to get 51% of the 2013 crop seeded, up from 29% last week. The five-year (2008-2012) average for this time of year is 56%. CDs 3BS, 3BN and 4A are each reporting that over 60% of the acres have now been seeded.

So far 71% of the field peas have been seeded, 59% of the lentils, 51% of the durum, 50% of the spring wheat, 46% of the canola, 39% of the barley, 29% of the mustard, 21% of the chickpeas, 12% of the flax and 4% of the canaryseed.

The majority of the region received small amounts of precipitation last week, with the Consul and Shaunavon areas recording 20 mm each. The Bengough area received 15 mm, the Central Butte area 2 mm, the Ponteix, Glen Bain and Leader areas 9 mm, the Cabri area 11 mm and the Macrorie area 10 mm. The Admiral area has received the greatest amount of precipitation since April 1 (60 mm).

Topsoil moisture for cropland is rated as 1% surplus, 74% adequate and 25% short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 63% adequate, 33% short and 4% very short. CD 4A is reporting 30% and 55%, respectively, of cropland and hay land and pasture to be short topsoil moisture. Strong winds and warm weather have dried the majority of fields and pastures and a significant rainfall will be needed soon to replenish the soil.

There are reports of grass fires in some areas. Some crop reporters have indicated that there are concerns that some crops may not germinate evenly if moisture is not received soon. Most of the earlier seeded crops are up and producers will soon be making in-crop herbicide applications when the winds are calm.

Farmers are busy seeding, rolling crops, controlling weeds, branding and fixing fences.

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

Roughly 22% of the 2013 crop is now in the ground, up from 2% last week. The five-year (2008-2012) average for this time of year is 30%.

About 39% of the field peas have been seeded, 30% of the lentils, 27% of the spring wheat, 24% of the canola, 21% of the durum, 10% of the barley, 4% of the flax and 3% of the mustard.

The Quill Lake are received the most precipitation this past week at 34 mm. The Ituna, Abernathy and Kelliher areas received 3 mm, the Rama area 8 mm, the Preeceville area 15 mm, the Kenaston area 13 mm, the Humboldt area 9 mm, the Meacham area 12 mm and the Bradwell area 16 mm. Since April 1, the Pelly area has received the greatest amount of precipitation (55 mm).

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 10% surplus, 84% adequate and 6% short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 7% surplus, 80% adequate and 13% short. CD 5B is reporting 21% of the cropland to have surplus topsoil moisture.

The warm weather has allowed field work to progress quickly and many crop producers have indicated that seeding will be almost complete in the next couple of weeks. Despite the recent weather, some roads and fields are still soft and cannot hold equipment. Herbicides are being applied to fields when the wind is calm. There have been reports of anhydrous ammonia and phosphate fertilizer shortages.

Farmers are seeding, scouting winter wheat crops, controlling weeds and moving cattle.

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

Seeding is progressing quickly in the region due to relatively dry and warm conditions. Producers now have 29% of the 2013 crop in the ground, significantly up from 3% last week. The five-year (2008-2012) average for this time of year is 48%.

So far 51% of the field peas have been seeded, 32% of the canola and lentils, 29% of the durum, 25% of the spring wheat, 12% of the barley, 8% of the canary seed, 7% of the mustard, 4% of the chickpeas and 3% of the flax.

The Major area received the greatest amount of precipitation this week - 28 mm - bringing its total since April 1 to 66 mm. The Hanley area received 21 mm of precipitation, the Rosetown area 4 mm, the Biggar area 22 mm, the Smiley area 9 mm, the Luseland area 14 mm and the Landis area 1 mm.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 14% surplus, 83% adequate and 3% short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 10% surplus, 85% adequate and 5% short.

Pastures are growing and cattle are being moved. Earlier seeded crops are emerging and in-crop weed control applications will begin soon. Many crop reporters have indicated that there are large flushes of volunteer canola in many of the fields due to the windy weather after swathing last fall. There are many low spots in some fields that will need to be worked and dried out before seeding can begin.

Farmers are busy seeding, controlling weeds, working fields and moving cattle.

Northeastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 8 and 9AE)

Field work and seeding is slowly progressing in the northeastern region. Producers have 6% of the crop seeded, up from less than 1% last week. The five-year (2008-2012) average for this time of year is 36%. Warm and dry conditions are needed for seeding to continue.

Roughly 13% of the field peas have been seeded, 10% of the spring wheat, 7% of the durum, 4% of the canola and barley and 2% of the lentils.

Most of the region received precipitation last week, with the Tisdale area receiving the most (14 mm). The Nipawin area received 6 mm, the Humboldt and Bruno areas 10 mm, the Vonda area 9 mm, the Kinistino area 4 mm and the Garrick area 2 mm. Since April 1, the Tisdale area has received the most precipitation at 30 mm.

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 43% surplus and 57% adequate. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 31% surplus and 69% adequate. CD 8A is reporting that 69% and 44%, respectively, of cropland and hay land and pasture to have surplus topsoil moisture.

Pastures are growing and dugouts are full. Many producers are working sloughs to help dry them out before seeding can begin in those fields. There have been reports of fertilizer delivery delays as many roads are still inaccessible. The majority of producers will be starting to seed in the next few days.

Farmers are busy seeding, working fields and moving cattle.

Northwestern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 9AW and 9B)

Seeding in the northwest has quickly progressed due to warm and dry weather. Twenty-2% of the crop is now in the ground, up from 3% last week. The five-year (2008-2012) average for this time of year is 49%.

About 41% of the field peas have been seeded, 32% of the spring wheat, 18% of the canola, 5% of the barley, 4% of the lentils and 2% of the flax.

A little rain fell on the region this past week. The Duck Lake and Lloydminster areas received 5 mm, the North Battleford area 1 mm, the St. Walburg area 2 mm and the Turtleford area 2 mm. Since April 1, the Meadow Lake area has received the most precipitation in the region (30 mm).

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 29% surplus, 70% adequate and 1% short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 11% surplus, 85% adequate and 4% short.

Pastures are beginning to grow and cattle are being moved. There have been reports of liquid fertilizer shortages in some areas of the region. Many roads and fields are still wet and inaccessible, but most producers are managing to work around them. Despite the wet conditions in some areas, many producers have indicated that topsoil moisture will be needed soon to help germinate the crops.

Farmers are busy seeding, picking rocks, working fields and moving cattle.

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