REGINA – It’s early days, but Saskatchewan has a higher than average number of crops seeded, according to the provincial government’s first crop report of the season.
The Government of Saskatchewan said three per cent of 2016’s crop has been seeded. From 2011-2015, the five-year seeding average was less than one per cent.
Many producers have been seeding for several weeks in the southern section of the province. Producers in southwest Saskatchewan have eight per cent of the crop in the ground and in the southeast, four per cent has been seeded.
In the rest of the province, however, there is little crop in the ground due to weather and field conditions. The province said producers will begin seeding in the next couple of weeks.
Parts of southwestern and west-central Saskatchewan saw snow and rain this week with some areas receiving 40 millimeters of snow. According to the province, the moisture was needed.
Northeastern and east-central Saskatchewan are reporting excess moisture and producers will need warm and dry weather before they can begin field work.
Currently, cropland topsoil moisture is rated at a six per cent surplus, 83 per cent adequate, 10 per cent short and one per cent very short.
Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is at a four per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and five per cent short.
Pasture conditions are rated as five per cent excellent, 31 per cent good, 35 per cent fair, 23 per cent poor and six per cent very poor. There are many pastures that could use some moisture.
The weather has been favourable for spring calving.
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