Within the next week, farmers should be done seeding as the provincial crop report has progress at 94 per cent complete.

It’s up from 77 per cent last week but remains behind the 5-year and 10-year averages of 97 per cent complete for this time of year.

Despite rain delays, farmers in each region made significant progress. The southeast and southwest are the furthest advanced at 96 per cent complete. The northwest is 93 per cent complete, followed by the east-central, west-central and northeast regions, which all report 92 per cent complete.

Seeding is almost done for field peas, lentils, spring wheat and durum, but there’s still work to do on seeding mustard, triticale and perennial forage.

Producers are looking forward to warmer weather to help crop development, considering cooler temperatures and on-again, off-again rain is slowing seeding progress a bit.

The crop report, released Thursday morning, noted forty-eight per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, 25 per cent at stem elongation, 20 per cent at flag leaf and seven per cent heading.

Twenty-six per cent of spring cereals are at the pre-emergent stage with 57 per cent at the seedling stage and 17 per cent tillering.

Eighteen per cent of pulse crops are at the pre-emergent stage with 68 per cent at the seedling stage and 14 per cent reported at the vegetative stage of development.

Forty-three per cent of canola and mustard are at the pre-emergent stage, with 54 per cent at the seedling stage and three per cent at the rosette stage.

Forty-seven per cent of flax is at the pre-emergent stage with 51 per cent at the seedling stage and two per cent starting stem elongation.

Various causes of crop damage was reported this past week. Wind, frost, and hail were reported in various locations across the province, though it was minor overall. There were also reports of minor crop damage due to flea beetle and cutworm pressure. In some areas, producers noted localized heavy rain caused crops to drown out in lower areas of the field.

Aside from a few areas reporting heavy rainfall, it was varied across the province with the Porcupine Plain area getting the most rain at 83 mm this past week; the Foam Lake area had 73 mm, and the Ituna and Lipton areas both received 52 mm.

Producers continue to seed and spray when weather permits, along with rock picking, land rolling, moving cattle out to pasture and branding.

A summary by region can be found below.

Southeast

Seeding is reported at 96 per cent complete within the region, up from 84 per cent last week. This is similar to the five-year average of 96 per cent reported in the southeast region.

Seeding is complete, or near completion, for many crops including field peas, lentils, durum and canary seed. Soybeans and flax are reported at 97 per cent seeding completion. Oats and barley are reported at 95 per cent complete followed by spring wheat at 94 per cent. Seeding completion for canola and mustard are 94 per cent and 93 per cent, respectively. Chickpeas are 90 per cent complete. The crops that are furthest behind perennial forage crops at 84 per cent and triticale at 79 per cent complete.

Rain fell throughout the region last week with the highest amount reported in the Lipton area of 52 mm. The Indian Head area received 45 mm followed by the Bienfait area with 41 mm and the Broadview area with 40 mm. The Langenburg and Weyburn areas received 16 mm over the past week.

Topsoil moisture continues to improve within the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is reported at two per cent surplus, 90 per cent adequate and eight per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is one per cent surplus, 86 per cent adequate and 13 per cent short.  Pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate, 14 per cent short and one per cent very short.

Varying stages of development are reported within the region given the cooler temperatures and delays in seeding progress that producers have experienced.

• Fifty-one per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, 21 per cent at stem elongation, 21 per cent at flag leaf and seven per cent heading.
• Nineteen per cent of spring cereals are at the pre-emergent stage with 56 per cent at the seedling stage, 24 per cent tillering and one per cent starting stem elongation.
• Ten per cent of pulse crops are at the pre-emergent stage with 68 per cent at the seedling stage and 22 per cent reported at the vegetative stage of development.
• Thirty-five per cent of canola and mustard are at the pre-emergent stage, 56 per cent are at the seedling stage and nine per cent at the rosette stage.
• Thirty-one per cent of the flax is at the pre-emergent stage and 69 per cent of these crops are at the seedling stage.

Producers in the region report minor crop damage due to excessive moisture, frost and hail. Increased crop damage is reported due to wind. Producers are continuing to monitor areas for flea beetles, cutworms, grasshoppers, gophers and waterfowl.

As the week progresses, producers will be working to wrap up seeding and move into in-crop spraying when the weather allows along with land rolling, rock picking and getting the last of the animals out to pasture.

Southwest

Seeding is reported at 96 per cent complete within the region, up from 83 per cent last week. This behind the five-year average of 99 per cent.

Seeding is near completion for field peas and lentils. Canola is reported at 98 per cent complete followed by durum, barley and flax at 97 per cent. Spring wheat is 96 per cent complete.  Oats, canary seed, chickpeas and mustard are all reported at 93 per cent complete. Triticale is reported at 90 per cent seeding completion. The crop that is furthest behind is perennial forage at 69 per cent.

Rain fell throughout the majority of the region. The highest rainfall recorded fell in the Eston area at 28 mm. The Gouldtown and Maple Creek areas received 26 mm followed by the Shaunavon area at 25 mm. The Limerick and Gull Lake areas reported 24 mm for the week.

Regular rainfall within the region has helped maintain topsoil moisture. Cropland topsoil moisture is reported at four per cent surplus, 93 per cent adequate and three per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is four per cent surplus, 88 per cent adequate and eight per cent short. Pasture topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate and 10 per cent short.

Producers report a large variation in crop development given the cooler temperatures and differences in seeding date throughout the region.

• Thirty-two per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, 31 per cent at stem elongation, 17 per cent at flag leaf and 20 per cent heading.
• Twenty-three per cent of spring cereals are at the pre-emergent stage with 60 per cent at the seedling stage and 17 per cent at the tillering stage.
• Nineteen per cent of pulse crops are at the pre-emergent stage with 70 per cent at the seedling stage and 11 per cent at the vegetative stage of development.
• Twenty-five per cent of canola and mustard are at the pre-emergent stage, 66 per cent are at the seedling stage and nine per cent at the rosette stage.
• Forty-eight per cent of the flax is at the pre-emergent stage, 50 per cent at the seedling stage and two per cent of these crops are starting stem elongation.

Overall, crop damage was reported as minor for the week with damage caused by excessive moisture, frost, hail and wind. Producers are continuing to monitor areas for flea beetles, cutworms, grasshoppers and gophers. Some producers reported taking control measures for flea beetles and grasshoppers within the region.

Producers within the region are working to complete seeding, as well as working on in-crop spraying, land rolling and rock picking when the weather allows. Brandings are taking place and cattle are continuing to be taken to pasture.

East-Central

Seeding advanced within the region despite rain delays.  Seeding is reported at 92 per cent complete, up from 73 per cent last week. This falls just behind the five-year average of 94 per cent. 

Seeding is complete, or near completion, for field peas and lentils. Spring wheat is reported at 96 per cent complete followed by barley at 92 per cent. Canola is 91 per cent complete and flax is 80 per cent complete. Oats are reported at 83 per cent completion followed by durum at 79 per cent.  Seeding of perennial forage crops is 74 per cent complete and canary seed is 71 per cent complete. The crops that are furthest behind are soybeans at 51 per cent and mustard at 48 per cent. 

Widespread rain fell throughout the region with many areas receiving higher amounts.  The highest amount recorded fell in the Foam Lake area at 73 mm. The Ituna area recorded 52 mm and the Yorton area recorded 41 mm for the past week. The Canora and Jedburgh areas both received 40 mm. The Kenaston and Outlook areas received 18 mm and 11 mm respectively. 

Rainfall within the region continues to improve topsoil moisture conditions.  Cropland topsoil moisture is reported at seven per cent surplus, 86 per cent adequate and seven per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is four per cent surplus, 70 per cent adequate and 26 per cent short. Pasture topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 67 per cent adequate and 29 per cent short. 

Crop development continues to be slow within the region given cooler temperatures, wet conditions and delays in seeding progress. 

• Forty-eight per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, 25 per cent at stem elongation and 27 per cent at flag leaf.
• Twenty-five per cent of spring cereals are at the pre-emergent stage, 57 per cent at the seedling stage, 16 per cent at the tillering stage with two per cent starting stem elongation. 
• Three per cent of pulse crops are at the pre-emergent stage with 64 per cent at the seedling stage and 33 per cent at the vegetative stage of development. 
• Forty-seven per cent of canola and mustard are at the pre-emergent stage, 50 per cent are at the seedling stage and three per cent at the rosette stage.  
•  Fifty-five per cent of the flax is at the pre-emergent stage with 45 per cent at the seedling stage. 

Producers in the region report minor crop damage due to frost and hail. Increased crop damage is reported due to wind and excessive moisture. Producers are continuing to monitor areas for flea beetles, cutworms and grasshoppers.  Reports of producers taking control measures for flea beetles were received. 

As the week progresses, producers will continue seeding and will begin in-crop spraying operations when the weather allows. Producers continue to move remaining cattle out to pasture.  

West-Central

Producers made considerable progress over the past week.  The region is currently reporting 92 per cent seeding completion, up from 71 per cent last week. This falls behind the five-year average of 99 per cent.

Seeding is near completion for field peas. Flax is 95 per cent complete followed by spring wheat at 94 per cent. Canola and lentils both reporting 93 per cent completion. Barley is 89 per cent, mustard is 88 per cent and triticale is 87 per cent complete within the region. Perennial forage is reported at 86 per cent complete followed by durum and canary seed which are both reported at 85 per cent complete. Oats are 82 per cent complete. The crops that are furthest behind are chickpeas at 57 per cent and soybeans at 46 per cent.

Rainfall was variable throughout the region over the past week. The highest rainfall recorded was in the Asquith area at 41 mm followed by the Rosetown area at 38 mm. The Biggar area received 30 mm, the Smiley area reported 22 mm and the Marsden area reported 18 mm.

Regular rainfall within the region continues to improve topsoil moisture conditions. Cropland topsoil moisture is reported at one per cent surplus, 96 per cent adequate and three per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is one per cent surplus, 94 per cent adequate and five per cent short. Pasture topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 93 per cent adequate and six per cent short.

Crop development is slower than expected for this time of year due to the cooler temperatures and seeding delays.

• Sixty-three per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, 28 per cent at stem elongation and nine per cent at flag leaf.
• Thirty-two per cent of spring cereals are at the pre-emergent stage, 56 per cent at the seedling stage and 12 per cent are at the tillering stage.
• Twenty-five per cent of pulse crops are at the pre-emergent stage with 71 per cent at the seedling stage and four per cent at the vegetative stage of development.
• Forty per cent of canola and mustard are at the pre-emergent stage and 60 per cent are at the seedling stage.
• Sixty-two per cent of the flax is at the pre-emergent stage with 23 per cent at the seedling stage and 15 per cent starting stem elongation.

Overall, crop damage was reported as minor for the week with damage caused by excessive moisture, wind and waterfowl. Producers are continuing to monitor areas for flea beetles, cutworms and grasshoppers.

As producers work to complete seeding, they are also busy starting in-crop spraying when the weather allows, land rolling and rock picking. Some producers are finishing calving and many are moving cattle to pasture.

Northeast

Producers were able to make considerable progress over the last week despite rain delays. Producers report 92 per cent seeding completion, up from 68 per cent reported last week. This falls behind the five-year average of 97 per cent.

Seeding is complete, or near completion, for field peas, spring wheat and canary seed. Canola and oats are 92 per cent complete followed by lentils at 91 per cent complete. Barley and flax are 89 per cent complete followed by perennial forage at 84 per cent seeding completion. Of the lower acreage crops for the region, triticale and soybeans are reported at 50 per cent complete followed by chickpeas at 25 per cent and durum at 21 per cent.

Rainfall was variable throughout the region with the east side receiving higher amounts. Further west in the region, rainfall amounts decreased. The highest rainfall recorded was in the Porcupine Plain area at 83 mm. The Tisdale area received 41 mm followed by the Humboldt and Hudson Bay areas at 35 mm. The Prince Albert area received 18 mm and the Hague area received 10 mm over the past week.

Continued moisture within the region has helped maintain topsoil moisture. Cropland topsoil moisture is reported at ten per cent surplus, 88 per cent adequate and two per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is two per cent surplus, 96 per cent adequate and two per cent short. Pasture topsoil moisture is similar at one per cent surplus, 96 per cent adequate and three per cent short.

Cool, wet weather and varying seeding dates continue to slow crop development within the region.

• Forty-two per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, 42 per cent at stem elongation, 11 per cent at flag leaf and five per cent at heading.
• Thirty-one per cent of spring cereals are at the pre-emergent stage, 54 per cent at the seedling stage and 15 per cent are at the tillering stage.
• Nine per cent of pulse crops are at the pre-emergent stage with 84 per cent at the seedling stage and seven per cent at the vegetative stage of development.
• Fifty per cent of canola and mustard are at the pre-emergent stage and 50 per cent are at the seedling stage.
• Thirty-nine per cent of the flax is at the pre-emergent stage with 61 per cent at the seedling stage.

Producers in the region report minor crop damage due to frost, wind and excessive moisture which is causing drowned out crops in the low areas within the field. Increased crop damage is reported due to flea beetles with reports of some producers taking control measures within the region.

When weather allows, producers are beginning in-crop herbicide applications and are continuing to monitor fields for pests while moving cattle out to pasture.

Northwest

Producers were able to progress in their seeding operations with the pause in rainfall throughout much of the region over the past week. Currently, producers are reporting 93 per cent seeding completion, up from 80 per cent last week. This falls behind the five-year average of 98 per cent.

Seeding is complete, or near completion, for field peas, lentils, canary seed, mustard, spring wheat and soybeans. Flax is reported at 95 per cent seeding completion followed by canola and barley at 90 per cent. Oats is 84 per cent complete and triticale is 75 per cent. Of the lower acreage crops for the region, chickpeas are reported at 50 per cent complete followed by durum at 47 per cent and perennial forage at 30 per cent.

Rain fell in reduced amounts throughout the region this week. The highest reported rainfall was in the Hafford area at 41 mm followed by the Radisson area at 31 mm. The Paynton area received 22 mm and the St. Walburg area received 14 mm.

Topsoil moisture conditions within the region remain adequate. Cropland topsoil moisture is reported at three per cent surplus, 94 per cent adequate and three per cent short.  Hayland topsoil moisture is 95 per cent adequate and five per cent short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 94 per cent adequate and six per cent short.

Cooler conditions and differences in seeding dates continue to slow crop development within the region.

• Eighteen per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage and 82 per cent are at the stem elongation stage.
• Twenty-two per cent of spring cereals are at the pre-emergent stage, 64 per cent at the seedling stage and 14 per cent are at the tillering stage.
• Ten per cent of pulse crops are at the pre-emergent stage with 77 per cent at the seedling stage and 13 per cent at the vegetative stage of development.
• Forty-five per cent of canola and mustard are at the pre-emergent stage and 55 per cent are at the seedling stage.
• Thirty-six per cent of the flax is at the pre-emergent stage with 64 per cent at the seedling stage.

Producers in the region report minor crop damage due to frost, wind and excessive moisture. Producers are continuing to monitor areas for flea beetles, cutworms and pea leaf weevils. Increased crop damage is being reported due to flea beetles within the region.

As weather allows, producers will continue with their seeding operations and begin in-crop herbicide applications. Throughout the week ahead, producers will be monitoring for insect pressure and moving cattle out to pasture.