Much needed rain was welcomed in Saskatchewan’s grainbelt as producers continue seeding the 2016 crop. According to the latest weekly crop report, 35 per cent of the crop is now in the ground.
The five-year average for this time of year is 10 per cent. Last year at this time, 34 per cent of the crop had been seeded.
Seeding is furthest along in the southwest at 58 per cent. Some producers have finished seeding for the year while most others will need a week or two of good weather to complete seeding operations.
In the southeast, 51 per cent of the crop is now seeded and some farmers expect to be wrapped up within the next week if the weather co-operates.
All other regions range from 17 to 26 per cent seeded.
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Farmers were helped in their seeding by a stretch of dry and warm weather and now significant rainfall earlier this week will alleviate concerns in some areas about dry topsoil moisture conditions, according to the report.
Overall, topsoil moisture is rated at 74 per cent adequate, 23 per cent short, three per cent very short and two per cent surplus.
Hay land and topsoil moisture is 61 per cent adequate and 38 per cent short or very short.