Seeding Wraps Up, Crops Struggling

REGINA - Jun 4/15 - SNS -- Seeding of this year's pilse and specialty crops is wrapping up in Canada, but a large proportion of the crop is in fair to very poor conditions, according to the lastest crop progress report from Saskatchewan Ariculture.

Seeding of all crops is now 97% complete, well ahead of the recent five-year average of 73% seeded for this time of year. The west-central region is reporting that 99% of the crop is now seeded. The southwestern region has 98% seeded; the southeastern, northeastern and northwestern regions have 97% seeded; and the east-central region has 94% seeded.

Heavy frost late last week has caused damage to crops and producers continue to assess the damage; some re-seeding has occurred. Significant damage was also reported across much of Manitoba. Temperatures have been above freezing since the frost event, but are too low for crops to develop normally.

Crop conditions vary across the province but most crops are in fair to good condition. Concerns about crop germination and emergence continue in many areas that have not received much rainfall since April. Rain is needed in much of the province to help recharge the topsoil. Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 3% surplus, 51% adequate, 37% short and 9% very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 3% surplus, 41% adequate, 40% short and 16% very short.