For the Period June 2 to 8, 2015

One year ago Producers had 93 per cent of the crop in the ground. The majority of crops were behind normal development stages, mainly due to cool weather.

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Seeding is virtually complete for Saskatchewan's producers. However, there are still some areas either finishing up or re-seeding crops that were damaged by frost.  The five-year (2010-2014) seeding average for this time of year is 87 per cent according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's Weekly Crop Report.

Rainfall varied across the province from minimal to well over three inches in sections of the southeastern region.  Much of the province needs rain to replenish topsoil moisture conditions.  Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as three per cent surplus, 40 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 15 per cent very short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 36 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 18 per cent very short.

Crop development is delayed in some areas due to lack of moisture.  However, most crops are in good condition but could use some moisture and warm weather to help them develop.  Much of the hay land and pasture is slow to become green and could also use some moisture.  Crop damage this week was mainly caused by flea beetles, wind and lack of moisture.

Farmers are busy completing seeding operations and controlling pests.

Southeastern Saskatchewan (Crop District 1 - Carnduff, Estevan, Redvers, Moosomin and Kipling areas; Crop District 2 - Weyburn, Milestone, Moose Jaw, Regina and Qu'Appelle areas; Crop District 3ASE - Radville and Lake Alma areas)

Seeding is virtually complete in the region, although some remaining fields will likely be seeded into greenfeed if time permits. There are also some fields being re-seeded after hard frost damaged canola crops in much of the region several weeks ago. In-crop spraying is underway as weather permits.  

Rainfall in the region ranged from trace amounts to over three inches. The Frobisher area reported the greatest amount of rainfall this week with 85 mm. Since April 1, the Frobisher area has received 132 mm of rainfall, the greatest amount for both the region and the province.

Topsoil moisture conditions vary drastically throughout the region. Some areas in the southeastern corner of the region received ample rain last week that has helped crops emerge and relieved hay land and pasture. Other areas are in need of significant rainfall soon as crops are not germinating and in some cases have been sitting in dry soil for several weeks. Feed supply concerns continue for livestock producers as hay land and pasture is drying up.

Despite recent rain in some areas, topsoil moisture conditions continue to deteriorate for much of the region. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 12 per cent surplus, 60 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and four per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 76 per cent adequate, 16 per cent short and two per cent very short. While Crop District 1A is reporting that 50 per cent of cropland has surplus topsoil moisture at this time, CD 2B is reporting that 12 per cent of cropland is very short topsoil moisture.

Crop development varies throughout the region and most crops are in good condition. The majority of crop damage this week was caused by flea beetles, wind, localized flooding and lack of moisture. Farmers are busy finishing up seeding, controlling pests and fixing fences.

Southwestern Saskatchewan (Crop District 3ASW - Coronach, Assiniboia and Ogema areas; Crop District 3AN - Gravelbourg, Mossbank, Mortlach and Central Butte areas; Crop District 3B - Kyle, Swift Current , Shaunavon and Ponteix areas; Crop District 4 - Consul, Maple Creek and Leader areas)

Seeding has concluded in the region for the majority of producers. However, some fields are being re-seeded after frost damaged oilseed crops several weeks ago. In-crop spraying is underway when weather permits.

Small amounts of rainfall fell in the region, although it was not enough to help relieve the dry soil conditions in many areas. The Eastend area received 26 mm of rainfall this week while the Eyebrow area has received 92 mm of rain since April 1. Topsoil moisture conditions vary throughout the region and the majority of fields will need significant rain to recharge the soil and allow for crops, hay land and pasture to grow. Moisture conditions continue to quickly deteriorate for much of the region. Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 29 per cent adequate, 48 per cent short and 23 per cent very short while hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 21 per cent adequate, 54 per cent short and 25 per cent very short. Crop District 4B is reporting that 75 per cent of cropland and 88 per cent of hay land and pasture is very short topsoil moisture at this time. Concerns continue for livestock producers as feed is in short supply this year and moisture is needed soon to help hay land and pasture become greener.    

Crop development varies throughout the region and most crops are in good condition. The majority of crop damage this week was caused by flea beetles, wind and lack of moisture. Farmers are busy finishing up seeding, controlling pests and hauling grain.

East-Central Saskatchewan (Crop District 5 - Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas; Crop District 6A - Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas)

Like much of the province, the east-central region has wrapped up seeding operations; although some fields will likely still be put into greenfeed. Many of the canola fields that were hit hard by frost have been re-seeded. In-crop spraying is underway as weather permits.  

Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to 15 mm in the Ituna area. Since April 1, the Craik area has received 98 mm of rainfall, the greatest amount for the region. Topsoil moisture conditions are deteriorating due to lack of moisture and there are concerns of crop emergence and growth of hay land and pasture. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as three per cent surplus, 54 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and four per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 47 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and eight per cent very short. While Crop District 6A is reporting that seven per cent of cropland has surplus topsoil moisture, CDs 5A and 5B are reporting that seven per cent of cropland is very short topsoil moisture.  

Crop development has been slow and many crops have unevenly emerged. Hay crops are short and are in need of considerable rain to help relieve stress. The majority of damage this week was caused by flea beetles and a lack of moisture. Farmers are busy finishing up seeding, controlling pests and moving cattle.

West-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 6B - Hanley, Outlook, Loreburn, Saskatoon and Arelee areas; Crop District 7A - Rosetown, Kindersley, Eston, Major; CD 7B - Kerrobert, Macklin, Wilkie and Biggar areas)

Although seeding is virtually complete in the region, some re-seeding of canola fields continues. Some livestock producers may seed greenfeed if moisture is received soon. In-crop spraying is underway as weather and crop staging permits.

Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to 13 mm in the Dinsmore area. The Hanley area has received 64 mm of rainfall since April 1, the greatest amount for the region. Topsoil moisture conditions are quickly deteriorating in the majority of the region and significant rain will be needed soon to help relieve the lack of moisture. At this time, cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 14 per cent adequate, 52 per cent short and 34 per cent very short. Topsoil moisture conditions on hay land and pasture are rated as four per cent adequate, 49 per cent short and 47 per cent very short. All Crop Districts in the region are reporting that the majority of hay land and pasture is very short topsoil moisture. CD 7B is reporting that 39 per cent of cropland is very short topsoil moisture at this time, the greatest shortage for the region.  

Crop emergence and development has been very slow and patchy. Most crop damage has been caused by flea beetles and a lack of moisture. Livestock producers are concerned as feed is in short supply in the majority of the region as hay land and pasture is not growing. Farmers are busy completing seeding and controlling pests.

Northeastern Saskatchewan (Crop District 8 - Hudson Bay, Tisdale, Melfort, Carrot River, Humboldt, Kinistino, Cudworth and Aberdeen areas; Crop District 9AE - Prince Albert, Choiceland and Paddockwood areas)

Seeding is virtually complete in the region, although re-seeding of canola fields continues in some areas. In-crop spraying is underway when weather permits.

Small amounts of rainfall were received in the region, although it was not enough to replenish the topsoil. The Star City area received the greatest amount of rainfall this week (9 mm) while the Vonda area has received 76 mm of rainfall since April 1. Topsoil moisture conditions are quickly declining for much of the region. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 45 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 11 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 40 per cent adequate, 56 per cent short and four per cent very short. Crop District 8A is reporting that17 per cent of cropland is very short topsoil moisture at this time.

Most crops are in good condition, despite the lack of moisture. However, most crop damage this week was caused by flea beetles, wind and lack of moisture. Pastures are turning brown and there are concerns that livestock feed will be in short supply if rain is not received soon. Farmers are busy finishing up seeding operations and controlling pests.

Northwestern Saskatchewan (Crop District 9AW - Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River and Hafford areas; Crop District 9B - Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster areas)

Some re-seeding of canola crops continues, although general seeding has wrapped up for producers in the region. In-crop spraying is underway, although crop emergence has been very slow and patchy.

Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to 13 mm in the Duck Lake area. The Hafford area has received the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1 with 76 mm. Topsoil moisture conditions are declining in the region and significant rain is needed to help crops emerge and hay land and pasture become greener. At this time, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 32 per cent adequate, 52 per cent short and 16 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 19 per cent adequate, 60 per cent short and 21 per cent very short. Crop District 9B is reporting that 20 per cent of cropland acres and 23 per cent of hay land and pasture is very short topsoil moisture at this time.

Most crop damage this week was caused by flea beetles, wind and lack of moisture. Concerns continue for livestock producers that feed will be in short supply this year. Farmers are busy finishing up seeding, controlling pests and hauling grain.