Seeding over the half-way point as warm weather aids farmers

The provincial crop report indicates warmer weather provided a boost to seeding progress.

Saskatchewan farmers are 52 per cent of the way through seeding in the province, up from 29 per cent last week.

However, it's still behind the five year average of 74 per cent and ten year average of 77 per cent.

Drier conditions allowed for more time in the field. The southwest continues to lead at 74 per cent complete, followed by the west-central region at 69 per cent, the southeast at 61 per cent, and the northwest at 55 per cent.

The east-central region is at 26 per cent and the northeast is not far behind at 25 per cent as conditions improved.

For cereal crops, durum is the most seeded at 74 per cent, spring wheat at 52 per cent, barley at 50 per cent, triticale at 45 per cent, canary seed at 36 per cent, and oats at 26 per cent.

For pulses, field peas are 77 per cent planted, lentils at 76 per cent, and chickpeas at 55 per cent.

Mustard is farther ahead compared to other oilseed crops at 56 per cent, followed by canola at 38 per cent, and flax at 34 per cent.

Perennial forages are 23 per cent seeded in the province.

For crops already seeded, development is behind schedule "due to localized weather, leading to differences in temperature and moisture."

The report states, "fall cereals are at 58 per cent of normal development, with one per cent ahead and 41 per cent behind in development. Spring cereals are 37 per cent normal, 63 per cent behind. Pulse crops are 45 per cent normal and 55 per cent behind. Oilseeds are at 27 per cent of their normal stage of development and 73 per cent behind. Perennial forage is 50 per cent at normal development, with two per cent ahead and 48 per cent behind. Annual forage is at 39 per cent normal development, with two per cent ahead and 59 per cent behind."