Pulse Seeding Underway in Saskatchewan

REGINA - May 3/18 - SNS -- Seeding of this year's crops has just started in Saskatchewan, with around 1% of all intended crops now planted, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's first crop progress report of the season.

A cool and late spring has delayed field work across the province. However, seeding has just nicely started in the southern areas. Most other areas have some field activity with harrowing, pre seeding herbicide and fertilizer applications. Many producers will be seeding within the week.

Field conditions vary greatly across the province. The southern regions are dry and the northern and eastern regions are dealing with higher field moisture conditions. High winds are drying up the soil quickly. The soils are slow to warm up and there is still snow and ice in some sloughs and ditches in the north.

Spring runoff in the south was below normal in many areas. Rain was recorded in the south and east regions during the past week, ranging from trace amounts to 24 mm in the Big Beaver area.

Seeding has begun in a few areas around Frobisher, Moosomin, Grenfell and Weyburn in Southeastern Saskatchewan. Most farmers have been able to get into the fields to do some weed control and fertilizer applications. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 47% adequate, 39% short and 14% very short. Even though spring seeding is late, producers have indicated the soil is drying up and a rain would not be unwelcome.

Farmers around Admiral, Swift Current and Maple Creek in Southwestern Saskatchewan: have started their seeding operations. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 68% adequate, 26% short and 6% very short.

Cool and wet weather is making it hard for farmers in East-Central Saskatchewan to get into their fields. Even so, a few fields have been seeded and general seeding operations are expected to get under way within the week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 10% surplus, 69% adequate, 19% short and 2% very short.

Most producers in West-Central Saskatchewan will start seeding operations within the week. Most fields are dry enough, however farmers are waiting for soil temperatures to improve. Field work such as harrowing, weed control and fertilizer applications are underway. There will be enough soil moisture to get the crop germinated and growing. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as four% surplus, 87% adequate and 9% short.

Seeding has not started in Northeastern Saskatchewan. Fields have only been of snow for a week, but some farmers are confident they will start seeding next week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 24% surplus, 72% adequate and four% short.

Seeding could start in Northwestern Saskatchewan over the weekend. Fields that were snow covered a week ago are now drying up thanks to the recent warm and windy weather. Soil temperatures are still on the cool side. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 3% surplus, 90% adequate and 7% short.

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