Seeding Underway in Saskatchewan
REGINA - Apr 30/15 - SNS -- Seeding of this year's crops is underway in Saskatchewan, with 2% of all crops now planted in the province, according to the first crop report of the year from the provincial Ministry of Agriculture.
Farmers in the southwest have been seeding for a couple of weeks already, and have 7% of the crop in. Some areas in the southwest are reporting 20% seeded. Significant rain and snow over the weekend, particularly in areas of the central and northern regions, have delayed seeding and field work. Most producers are hoping to be in the field again at the start of next week.
The southeastern region has 4% of all crops seeded. All other regions have very little, if any, crop in the ground to date.
Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 20% surplus, 76% adequate and 4% short. Areas in the eastern regions are reporting excess moisture. Precipitation during the past week varied across the province, with some central regions reporting 75 mm. Areas in the north reported receiving up to 20 cm of snow.
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)
Some producers in the southeastern region have begun to seed and to work fields, although the majority will be waiting at least a week for field conditions to improve. The region has 4% seeded to date. Seeding is most advanced in the 2B and 3ASE regions. Warm temperatures forecasted for the week should see most producers in the field by early next week.
Most of the region recorded very little rainfall over the past week, although the western edge of the region recorded higher amounts. The Moose Jaw area reported between 10 and 20 mm. This area has recorded the greatest amount of precipitation since April 1 (49 mm).
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 27% surplus, 69% adequate and 4% short.
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)
Most producers in the region have been seeding for the past week, and now have 7% of the crop in the ground. Some producers in Crop District 3AN have yet to begin, however, as the weekend brought up to 60 mm of rain. CDs 3ASW and 3AN are reporting three% seeded, 3BS 4%, 3BN 8%, 4A 11% and 4B 12%.
Precipitation this week ranged from nil to 60 mm in the Eyebrow area, which has received the greatest amount of precipitation to date (73 mm). Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 10% surplus, 84% adequate and 6% short.
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)
Cold temperatures and wet weather are delaying seeding in most of the east-central region. A large amount of water is lying in many fields, and there has been some localized flooding of secondary roads, which limits access to some areas. Crop reporters are indicating that general seeding may not begin for at least another week or more.
The region reported varying amounts of precipitation this week, ranging from nil to 75 mm in the Bradwell area. This area has also received the greatest amount of precipitation since April 1 (80 mm). The northern area of CD 6A received snow as well.
Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are reported as 44% surplus and 56% adequate.
West-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 6B - Hanley, Outlook, Loreburn, Saskatoon and Arelee areas; Crop District 7A - Rosetown, Kindersley, Eston, Major; CD 7B - Kerrobert, Macklin, Wilkie and Biggar areas)
Seeding has begun for a few producers but the majority will likely begin in the coming week. Rainfall for the week ranged from one to 51 mm in the Hanley area. Since April 1, the Outlook area has had the greatest amount of rainfall (55 mm). Many areas reported snow over the weekend as well (the Langham area reported 18 cm). Some drier fields are being worked or spread with fertilizer, while other fields remain too wet to support equipment. There are a few reports of seeding in the Rosetown, Kindersley, Conquest and Major areas.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 5% surplus, 90% adequate and 5% short.
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)
Most producers are hoping to be in the field to start seeding next week. Cool and wet weather has delayed field work and warm weather will be needed to dry up fields. Some roads are soft and will not be able to support equipment for a while.
Much of the region received rain and/or snow this past week, ranging from one to 52 mm of moisture. The Arborfield area received 34 mm, the Humboldt area 52 mm and the Alvena area 25 mm. The Humboldt area has reported the greatest amount of precipitation since April 1 (54 mm). The Lake Lenore area reported 20 cm of snow. Power outages were reported in some areas due to the heavy snow bringing down power lines and trees.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 23% surplus and 77% adequate.
Northwestern Saskatchewan (Crop District 9AW - Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River and Hafford areas; Crop District 9B - Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster areas)
There are a few reports of seeding just nicely starting in the Turtleford, St. Walburg and Lloydminster areas. The majority of producers are expected to get started next week. The region received some precipitation this week, ranging from trace amounts to 24 mm (Speers area). Some areas reported snow as well (Speers area 18 cm). The Hafford area has received the greatest amount of precipitation since April 1 (35 mm).
Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as two% surplus, 90% adequate and 8% short.
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