For the Period June 5 to 11, 2012

Ninety-six per cent of the 2012 crop has been seeded, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's weekly Crop Report.  The five-year (2007-2011) average for this time of year is approximately 90 per cent seeded.

Ninety-four per cent of the crop is seeded in the southeast, 97 per cent in the southwestern and northwestern regions, 92 per cent in the east-central area and 98 per cent in the west-central and northeastern regions.

Precipitation this week ranged from trace amounts to over five inches in some areas.  Producers across the province are dealing with very wet soil conditions.

Topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 28 per cent surplus and 72 per cent adequate.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is 16 per cent surplus, 83 per cent adequate and one per cent short.

The majority of crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year, although crop development in some areas is behind schedule due to the lack of warm weather.  The majority of crops that have emerged are in good to excellent condition.  Most crop damage this week is due to excess moisture, although flea beetles and cutworms are causing damage in some canola crops.  Excess moisture and high winds are delaying in-crop weed control applications. 

Farmers are busy finishing seeding, controlling pests and hauling cattle to pasture

Southeastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 1, 2, and 3ASE)

Ninety-four per cent of the crop has been seeded in the southeastern region, up from 89 per cent last week. Seeding progress ranges from 70 per cent seeded to complete. The five-year (2007-2011) average for this time of year is 83 per cent of acres seeded.

The region received varying amounts of precipitation this week that has slowed down in-crop pest control operations. The Weyburn area received 15 mm, the Stoughton area 17 mm, the Wilcox area 19 mm, the Frobisher area 52 mm, the Whitewood area 59 mm and the Maryfield area 76 mm. The Tantallon area has received 286 mm of rain since April 1.

Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 33 per cent surplus, 66 per cent adequate and one per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 17 per cent surplus and 83 per cent adequate. CDs 1B and 2A are reporting that 76 per cent and 50 per cent, respectively, of crop acres have surplus moisture. There have been reports of localized flooding in the Grenfell area.

Sixty-three per cent of both the fall spring cereals are ahead of normal development for this time of year. Sixty-eight per cent of the oilseeds and 57 per cent of the pulses are at normal developmental stages. The majority of crop damage this week is due to flooding, wind and insects. Fertilizer topdressings and in-crop pest control products are being applied to crops in drier fields. Weeds are actively growing and strong winds have delayed spraying. Flea beetle and cutworm feeding has slowed down, although there are reports of significant damage in some areas.

Farmers are busy finishing seeding and controlling pests.

Southwestern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 3ASW, 3AN, 3B and 4) 

Ninety-seven per cent of the crop is in the ground, compared to 94 per cent last week. Seeding progress ranges from 90 per cent seeded to complete. The five-year (2007-2011) average for this time of year is 93 per cent of acres seeded.

Precipitation ranged from 6 mm in the Eyebrow area to 125 mm in southern areas of the region. The Shaunavon area received 15 mm of rain, the Lisieux area 22 mm, the Maple Creek area 26 mm, the Eastend area 31 mm, the Vanguard area 61 mm and the Ponteix area 97 mm. The Cadillac area has received 345 mm of precipitation since April 1.

Cropland topsoil moisture is 10 per cent surplus and 90 per cent adequate. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is five per cent surplus, 93 per cent adequate and two per cent short.

Eighty-three per cent of fall cereals, 72 per cent of spring cereals, 73 per cent of oilseeds and 78 per cent of pulses are at normal developmental stages for this time of year. The majority of crop damage has been caused by flooding. Flea beetle and cutworm feeding has also damaged many canola crops in the area.

There have been reports of severe hail damage to emerged crops in the Cadillac area over the weekend and sloughs are again full of water. In-crop pest control applications are in full swing, although the recent rain and wind have delayed operations. Many flooded areas of fields will be reseeded in the next week if weather permits.

Farmers are busy finishing seeding, controlling pests and hauling grain.

East-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 5 and 6a)

The east-central region now has 92 per cent of the crop in the ground, up from 84 per cent last week. Seeding progress ranges from 40 per cent seeded to complete. The five-year (2007-2011) average for this time of year is 86 per cent of acres seeded.

The area received large amounts of precipitation over the weekend that has delayed seeding and in-crop weed control applications. Most producers in the region have indicated that they will not continue to try to seed flooded acres and will instead concentrate on spraying their crops. The Kamsack area received the most rainfall this past week (104 mm), bringing the total received since April 1 to 245 mm. The Raymore area received 4 mm of rain, the Foam Lake area 19 mm, the Bradwell area 25 mm, the Yorkton area 46 mm, the Rama area 48 mm, the Stockholm area 55 mm and the Langenburg area 65 mm.

Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as 40 per cent surplus, 58 per cent adequate and two per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is 37 per cent surplus, 61 per cent adequate and two per cent short. CDs 5A and 5B are reporting that 63 per cent and 59 per cent, respectively, of the cropland acres have surplus moisture.

Sixty per cent of the fall cereals, 46 per cent of the spring cereals, 40 per cent of the oilseeds and 63 per cent of the pulses are at normal developmental stages for this time of year. Some warm and dry weather would be appreciated to help crops develop further. Most of the crop damage is due to flooding and flea beetles.

Heavy rain and excess moisture has delayed emergence of late-seeded crops, and many fields have uneven stages of development. Most producers are trying to get into drier fields to spray for weeds, flea beetles and cutworms before the crop has advanced beyond optimal staging. Cattle are being brought to pasture and hay crops are looking good.

Farmers are busy trying to finish seeding and trying to control pests.

West-Central Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 6B and 7)

Ninety-eight per cent of the crop has been seeded, compared to 94 per cent last week. Seeding progress ranges from 90 per cent seeded to complete. The five-year (2007-2011) average for this time of year is 97 per cent of acres seeded.

The Biggar area recorded the greatest amount of precipitation over the weekend (111 mm), bringing the total received since April 1 to 230 mm. The Sonningdale area received 110 mm of rain over the weekend, the Langham area 78 mm, the Tramping Lake area 75 mm, the Unity area 71 mm, the Rosetown area 63 mm, the Conquest area 51 mm, the Marengo area 37 mm and the Hanley area 17 mm.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 28 per cent surplus and 72 per cent adequate. Hay land and pasture topsoil is rated as 25 per cent surplus and 75 per cent adequate.

Fifty-six per cent of the fall cereals, 49 per cent of the spring cereals, 52 per cent of the oilseeds and 64 per cent of the pulses are at normal stages of development for this time of year. However, warm weather will be needed in the coming weeks for crops to advance any further.

The majority of crop damage this week is due to flooding. There have been reports of flea beetles and cutworms in canola fields but damage has been minimal so far. Many fields have localized flooding and seeded sloughs are now full of water. Warm weather is needed to dry up fields so that in-crop weed control can continue. Producers are considering top-dressing canola and cereal crops with urea if more rain is received.

Farmers are busy trying to control pests and hauling cattle to pasture.

Northeastern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 8 and 9AE)

Ninety-eight per cent of the crop is in the ground, up from 95 per cent last week. Seeding progress ranges from 90 per cent seeded to complete. The five-year (2007-2011) average for this time of year is 86 per cent of acres seeded.

Many areas of the region received more than an inch (25.6 mm) of rain this past week. The Arborfield area reported 120 mm of rain over the weekend, bringing the total amount of rain received since April 1 to 247 mm. The Nipawin area received 74 mm of rain, the Garrick area 66 mm, the Alvena area 39 mm, the Prince Albert area 38 mm, the Bruno area 25 mm and the Humboldt area 19 mm.

Topsoil moisture for cropland is rated as 45 per cent surplus and 55 per cent adequate. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 23 per cent surplus and 77 per cent adequate.

Sixty-seven per cent of the fall cereals, 68 per cent of the spring cereals, 69 per cent of the oilseeds and 73 per cent of the pulses are at normal developmental stages for this time of year. Warm weather would be appreciated to help further advance crops.

The majority of crop damage is due to flooding and flea beetles in canola. There have been reports of localized flooding, water runoff and washed out roads. Most crop reporters have indicated that in-crop weed control applications are underway and some areas are already over half done.

Farmers are busy controlling weeds and finishing up seeding.

Northwestern Saskatchewan (Crop Districts 9AW and 9B)

Ninety-seven per cent of the crop in the northwestern region is in the ground, up from 95 per cent last week. Seeding progress in the region ranges from 90 per cent seeded to complete. The five-year (2007-2011) average for this time of year is 97 per cent complete.

Varying amounts of rain was recorded this past week. The Radisson and North Battleford areas received the greatest amounts, at 111 mm and 102 mm, respectively. The Hafford area received 62 mm of rain, the Glaslyn area 47 mm, the Meadow Lake area 31 mm, the Dorintosh area 15 mm and the Debden area 12 mm.

Topsoil moisture for cropland is rated as five per cent surplus and 95 per cent adequate. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 100 per cent adequate.

Ninety-eight per cent of the fall cereals and 81 per cent of the spring cereals are at normal stages of development for this time of year. Eighty-three per cent of the oilseeds and 85 per cent of the pulses are also at normal developmental stages. Flooding, wind and flea beetles have caused the majority of crop damage in the region.

In-crop weed control has stopped in the region, although most producers will try again later this week. Crop reporters have indicated that the current field conditions are ideal for grain crops and hay and they are developing quickly.

Farmers are busy finishing up seeding and controlling weeds.