Saskatchewan Seeding Wrapping Up
REGINA - Jun 13/13 - SNS -- Farmers in Saskatchewan made nearly unprecedented progress seeding this year's crops during the past week, with 96% of all crops down in the ground, identical to last year up from the recent five-year average of 89%.
Markets are relieved to see such a powerful last minute push getting crops in the ground. But, some market participants worry that a larger than normal proportion of each individual crop will reach critical moments at the same time, increasing the risk of broader damage from poor weather or other events.
Saskatchewan Agriculture did not break out seeding progress by individual crops. However, the data suggests roughly 96% of this year's intended lentil crop has been planted, along with 97% of the peas, 95% of the mustard, 87% of the chickpeas and 90% of the canaryseed.
The majority of pulse crops are emerging and in the vegetative stages while mustard seed fields are emerging or at the seedling stage of crop development.
Saskatchewan Seeding Progress For The Week Ending June 10, 2013
(per cent planted)
2010 2011 2012 2013 10-Year
Week Ending Jun 14 Jun 13 Jun 10 Jun 10 Average
Mustard 81.0 95.0 96.0 95.0 92.0
Lentils 73.0 96.0 96.0 96.0 92.0
Field Peas 86.0 98.0 100.0 97.0 94.0
Chickpeas 78.0 94.0 98.0 87.0 92.0
Canaryseed 77.0 82.0 100.0 90.0 90.0
BASED on Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food data with
2013 estimates by STAT Market Research
Southeastern Saskatchewan (Crop District 1 - Carnduff, Estevan, Redvers, Moosomin and Kipling areas; Crop District 2 - Weyburn, Milestone, Moose Jaw, Regina and Qu'Appelle areas; Crop District 3ASE - Radville and Lake Alma areas)
Despite wet field conditions in much of the region, producers in the southeast have now seeded 93% of the 2013 crop, up significantly from 71% last week. The five-year (2008-2012) average for this time of year is approximately 80% of acres seeded.
Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 26% surplus, 72% adequate and 2% short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 5% surplus, 93% adequate and 2% short. CDs 1A and 2A are reporting that 31% and 53%, respectively, of the cropland has surplus topsoil moisture at this time.
The majority of crop damage this week is due to flooding, frost and insects. Some areas are reporting that heavy rainfall received in the last few weeks has packed the ground and excess moisture is not drying quickly. Many fields and access roads remain under water and some producers will not be able to complete seeding in some southern areas of the region. The majority of producers are now starting in-crop spraying operations on drier fields as weed growth is substantial in some areas. Most crops are still behind normal developmental stages for this time of year and will need more warm weather to help them catch up.
Southwestern Saskatchewan (Crop District 3ASW - Coronach, Assiniboia and Ogema areas; Crop District 3AN - Gravelbourg, Mossbank, Mortlach and Central Butte areas; Crop District 3B - Kyle, Swift Current , Shaunavon and Ponteix areas; Crop District 4 - Consul, Maple Creek and Leader areas)
Seeding is almost complete in the southwest. So far, 97% of the crop is in the ground, compared to 90% last week. The five-year (2008-2012) average for this time of year is 91%.
Topsoil moisture for cropland is rated as 5% surplus, 88% adequate and 7% short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 2% surplus, 85% adequate, 12% short and 1% very short.
Crop damage this week is due to frost, wind and insect damage from cutworms, flea beetles and pea leaf weevil. Some southern areas have flooding damage while other areas have damaged crops from a lack of moisture. There have been reports of frost damage to some alfalfa stands. In-crop spraying is underway and many producers are reporting large amounts of weeds in some fields. Some areas are reporting uneven crop emergence and staging due to moisture conditions but warm weather would help the crops catch up.
East-Central Saskatchewan (Crop District 5 - Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas; Crop District 6A - Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas)
Seeding continues to advance in the east-central region thanks to warm weather conditions. Roughly 97% of the crop is now in the ground, significantly up from 84% last week. The five-year (2008-2012) average for this time of year is 84%.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 7% surplus, 78% adequate and 15% short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 5% surplus, 75% adequate and 20% short.
Insects, frost, hail, wind and dry field conditions have damaged crops this week. There have been reports of flea beetle and cutworm damage to some canola crops. Frost has damaged some hay fields. Additional moisture and warm weather would be welcomed to help crops emerge and hay fields grow. In-crop spraying operations are starting and most producers will be back in the field in the coming weeks.
West-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 6B - Hanley, Outlook, Loreburn, Saskatoon and Arelee areas; Crop District 7 - Rosetown, Kindersley, Eston, Major, Kerrobert, Macklin, Wilkie and Biggar areas)
Seeding progress is nearing completion and 97% of the crop is in the ground, up from 87% last week. The five-year (2008-2012) average for this time of year is 96%.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 6% surplus, 90% adequate and 4% short. Likewise, hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 6% surplus, 90% adequate and 4% short. CD 7A is reporting topsoil moisture in crop land as 9% short and 2% very short and hay land and pasture topsoil moisture as 10% short and 2% very short.
There was localized flooding that caused crop damage in some areas of the region this week. Damage from winds and dry conditions were reported in other areas. There were a few reports of insect damage by flea beetles and cutworms to canola crops. Spraying has started in many areas when wind and rain allows.
Northeastern Saskatchewan (Crop District 8 - Hudson Bay, Tisdale, Melfort, Carrot River, Humboldt, Kinistino, Cudworth and Aberdeen areas; Crop District 9AE - Prince Albert, Choiceland and Paddockwood areas)
Producers now have 97% of the crop seeded, up 10% from last week. The five-year (2008-2012) average for this time of year is 88% of acres seeded.
Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 13% surplus and 87% adequate. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 10% surplus, 89% adequate and 1% short. CD 8B is reporting that 24% of crop land and 20% of hay and pasture land have surplus topsoil moisture at this time.
Crop reporters are indicating that some crops have been damaged by localized flooding and hail. Insect damage by flea beetles and cutworms was also reported in some areas. Seeding operations are complete or are almost complete for most producers and in-crop spraying is underway. The recent rain was welcomed by most producers as it was well timed to help the crops emerge and grow.
Northwestern Saskatchewan (Crop District 9AW - Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River and Hafford areas; Crop District 9B - Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Piereceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster areas)
Seeding has progressed in the northwest over the last week and rainfall has been beneficial to growing crops. Roughly 97% of the crop is now in the ground, up from 89% last week. The five-year (2008-2012) average for this time of year is 95%.
Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 5% surplus, 93% adequate and 2% short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as three% surplus, 87% adequate and 10% short. CD 9AW is reporting that 17% of the hay and pasture land is short topsoil moisture while 6% has surplus soil moisture at this time.
Crop damage this week was from frost and insects such as flea beetles and grasshoppers. There are reports that hay and pasture land have improved greatly with the recent rainfall. The majority of producers are almost done seeding and spraying has started in most areas when winds allow. The moisture over the last week was well timed for growing crops.
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