Recent rainfall - with some areas receiving over 4 ½ inches - has dramatically improved Saskatchewan topsoil moisture conditions, especially in the more southern locations.
According to the latest weekly crop report on Thursday, cropland moisture across the province was rated 6% surplus, 80% adequate, 11% short and just 3% very short as of Tuesday. That compares to 0% surplus, 20% adequate, 48% short and 32% very short just a week earlier – before storms rolled in late last week and into the Victoria Day weekend.
Although seeding has been delayed in those areas where moisture has been slow to drain, the cool, cloudy days and rain showers have been ‘very welcome’ to help crop and pasture growth, the report said. The Limerick area received the most precipitation at 116 mm (4 ½ inches), followed by the Indian Head area at 108 mm (4 ¼ inches) and the Odessa area at 100 mm (just under 4 inches). (see provincial topsoil moisture map below).
Meanwhile, producers were still able to make some seeding progress, despite the rainfall. An estimated 86% of the Saskatchewan crop was planted as of Monday, up from 74% a week earlier and still well ahead of the five-year average of 77%.
The southwest region is the farthest along with 91% of the region’s crop seeded as of Monday. That is followed by 89% in the west-central region, 87% in the northwest, 86% in the southeast, 85% in the northeast and 77% in the east-central.
Earlier seeded crops have started to show good emergence, but cool nighttime temperatures have slowed growth in some areas. In general, crops are normal in development stages for this time of year, but some crops are behind due to an unusually cool spring and limited moisture. Most of the crop damage this week was due to strong winds, light frosts, limited moisture and flea beetles.
Southeast:
There were large amounts of rain reported in the region this week, which slowed seeding progress slightly, but 86 per cent of the crop has now been seeded. This is up from 79 per cent last week and just slightly ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) for this time of year of 81 per cent. Germination of earlier seeded crops has been slow due to cool temperatures and poor moisture conditions but the recent rainfall should allow crops to develop quickly.
Rainfall this past week was very high with many areas seeing over 50 mm. The Indian Head area reported the most rainfall at 108 mm while the Odessa area reported 100 mm, the Weyburn area 92 mm and the Radville area 88 mm.
The recent rainfall has improved the topsoil moisture levels across the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 17 per cent surplus, 70 per cent adequate, 10 per cent short and three per cent very short.
Even with the delayed emergence and growth from the dry soil conditions most of the crops are normal in their developmental stage for this time of year. Most areas reported minimal crop damage, but the majority of crop damage that did occur this week was due to frost, limited moisture and flea beetles. Some areas saw localized flooding; rainfall runoff will hopefully improve the water levels in dugouts in the region.
Southwest:
Producers have made great progress seeding this week, some have finished while others are close to finishing. Ninety-one per cent of the crop is seeded, which is ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) for this time of year of 83 per cent. Earlier seeded crops have begun germinating more evenly and crop conditions throughout most of the region are looking good.
Most of the region reported a good amount of rainfall, which was welcome. Crop fields and pastures in the region were quite dry, so producers were happy with the recent precipitation. The Limerick area reported the most rain with 116 mm. The Big Beaver area reported 78 mm, the Shaunavon area 75 mm, the Mortlach area 67 mm, the Mossbank area 65 mm, the Consul area 39 mm and the Admiral area 26 mm.
Rain throughout the region this week has improved topsoil moisture conditions. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 85 per cent adequate, 10 per cent short and four per cent very short.
Overall, crop development is normal for this time of year despite an abnormally dry spring. Crops are germinating well, but there have been reports that windy and dry conditions have negatively affected canola germination. Most of the crop damage this week was mainly caused by frost. Gopher populations are reported to be very high and could be cause for concern once crops are up in fields.
East-Central:
Currently, 77 per cent of the crop is seeded in the east-central region. This is up from 63 per cent last week and above the five-year average (2016-2020) of 62 per cent for this time of year. The recent rainfall was not ideal for seeding progress but will help earlier seeded crops emerge and establish.
Most of the region received good amounts rainfall this week. The Craven area reported the most with 92 mm, the Lipton area reported 91 mm, the Bulyea area reported 85 mm, the Bethune area reported 76 mm and the Rama area reported 63 mm. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 89 per cent adequate and six per cent short.
Overall, most of the crops are at normal stages for this time of year, with some behind due to cool weather conditions. There was minimal crop damage reported this week. Most of the damage that was present was due to wind, lack of moisture and light frost.
West-Central:
Eighty-nine per cent of the crop is seeded, which is well ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) of 73 per cent for this time of year. Rainfall delayed producers from seeding for a few days but has since continued. Producers who were delaying seeding for some rain are now out in the fields.
Most of the west-central region received some rain this week, which is needed to green up crop and pasture land. The Biggar area reported the highest amount of rain in the region with 53 mm. The Harris area reported 54 mm, the Dinsmore area 51 mm, the Hanley and Sonningdale areas 40 mm and the Smiley area 36 mm. Rain received this week improved moisture conditions in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture rated as zero per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and five per cent very short.
Cool, overnight temperatures and dry conditions have slowed pasture and hay land growth. Producers have indicated that recent rains will improve pastures and that more would be welcome once seeding has concluded. Pasture conditions are rated as zero per cent excellent, 15 per cent good, 22 per cent fair, 40 per cent poor and 23 per cent very poor.
Overall, crops are normal to behind in their developmental stage for this time of year. Similar to pastures, the cool nighttime temperatures and dry conditions have slowed growth of some crops. Most of the crop damage this week is due to strong wings, light frost and localized flooding. Producers are continuing to assess damage from frost and watching for flea beetles.
Northeast:
Producers have been working hard and there has been huge gains in seeding progress this week, with 85 per cent of the crop currently seeded. This is up from 63 per cent last week and ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) for this time of year of 62 per cent. Some of the earlier seeded crops have started to emerge.
Rainfall in some areas delayed producers from seeding for a few days but has since continued. Moisture conditions are good is most areas of the region and producers who were delaying seeding for some rain are now out in the fields. The most rainfall was reported in the Melfort and Porcupine Plain areas with 50 mm, the Bruno area reported 46 mm, the Humboldt area 45 mm and the Arborfield and Hudson Bay areas 35 mm.
Moisture conditions in the northeast have improved, with most of the crop, pasture and hay land having enough moisture to support plant germination and growth. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as eleven per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate and two per cent short.
Most of the crops are ahead to normal in their developmental stage for this time of year, with early seeded crops emerging. There were reports of crop damage in the form of frost and flooding over the week; low spots in some fields have become submerged. Producers will be out assessing damage over the next couple days.
Northwest:
Eighty-seven per cent of the crop is seeded, which is up from 77 per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year average (2016-2020) of 67 per cent for this time of year. Rainfall in the region delayed seeding for some producers, but it has since continued.
Like the rest of the province, the region saw much need rainfall over the past week. The Spiritwood and Neilburg areas reported the most at 56 mm, the Turtleford area reported 55 mm, the Hafford area reported 53 mm and the Duck Lake and Meadow Lake areas reported 45 mm.
Moisture conditions in the area are good to support crop, pasture and hay land development. Cool temperatures over the past few weeks have greatly reduced pasture growth and slowed crop development. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as eight per cent surplus and 76 per cent adequate and 16 per cent short.
Overall, crop development is normal to behind for this time of year. Emergence has been delayed due to cool conditions and lack of moisture. There were reports of light frosts and localized flooding in the region and producers are continuing to assess damage.
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