Excellent Seeding, Slow Development

REGINA - May 29/15/ - SNS -- Farmers in Saskatchewan have made excellent progress seeding this year's crops, with 87% of all crops now planted, compared to 64% at this time last year and the recent five-year average of 61%,

The southwestern and west-central regions are nearing completion with 93% of the crop in the ground. The northwestern region has 89% seeded; the southeastern has 87% seeded; the east-central region has 83% seeded; and the northeastern region has 75% seeded.

In its latest crop progress report, Saskatchewan Agriculture also noted that despite seeding crops early, almost a quarter are developing more slowly than usual. Across the province, 67% of pulse crops are considered to be a normal stage of development, while 24% are behind normal and 9% ahead.

More importantly, "Despite heavy frost in many areas early last week, most crops were not damaged; however, there has been some re-seeding of oilseed crops," the agriculture department added.

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as four% surplus, 58% adequate, 30% short and 8% very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as four% surplus, 49% adequate, 35% short and 12% very short. Rain is needed in much of the province to help with crop emergence and to recharge the topsoil that is getting dry in some areas.