Small Acreage Crop Seeding Progress Slow

REGINA - Jun 6/13 - SNS -- Seeding of this year's specialty crops in Saskatchewan is advancing at a slower pace than in past years as farmers place a greater emphasis on getting cereal grains and oilseeds in the ground than crops like mustard or canaryseed.

The latest crop progress report from Saskatchewan Agriculture broke down seeding progress by crop. While farmers have planted 83% of all crops, they have planted less than half of their intended mustard, canaryseed and chickpeas.

Farmers in southeastern Saskatchewan have planted 71% of their crops, compared to 90% in the southwest; 84% in the east-central area; 87% in west-central and northeast areas; and 89% in the northwest. Provincially, producers have seeded 81% of lentils, 87% of field peas, 43% of mustard and chickpeas, 41% of canary seed, 86% of canola, 89% of spring wheat, 84% of durum, 76% of barley, 67% of oats, and 54% of flax.

Continuous rainfall has delayed seeding in much of the southern portion of the province with the Radville and Coronach areas receiving more than four inches of rain in the past week. Provincially, topsoil moisture on crop land is rated as 11% surplus, 79% adequate and 10% short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 5% surplus, 79% adequate and 16% short.

Despite most emerged crops trailing behind their normal stages of development for this time of year the majority of these crops are in good to excellent condition. Most crop damage this week was caused by flea beetle and cutworm damage in canola crops, excess moisture and wind. Farmers are busy trying to finish seeding, controlling weeds and moving cattle to pasture.