For the Period June 4 to 10, 2013

Seeding is nearing completion in the province with 96 per cent of the 2013 crop in the ground, significantly above the five-year (2008-2012) average of 89 per cent seeded for this time of year. 

One year ago Ninety-six per cent of the 2012 crop had been seeded.  Despite wet field conditions in many areas, emerged crops were in good to excellent condition.

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Seeding Progress in SK Per cent seeded All Crops June 10/13 96 5 year avg. (2008-2012) 89 June 11/12 96 June 6/11 79 June 10/10 70 June 8/09 99 June 8/08 99 10 year avg. (2003-2012) 92

Seeding Progress by Crop District CD June 10/13 June 11/12 1a 89 97 1b 95 90 2a 89 89 2b 96 95 3ase 95 98 3asw 92 97 3an 98 95 3bs 98 97 3bn 99 97 4a 99 98 4b 98 99 5a 98 84 5b 96 90 6a 97 99 6b 96 97 7a 97 97 7b 98 99 8a 98 97 8b 97 99 9ae 97 98 9aw 96 97 9b 97 97

Regionally, 93 per cent of the crop is seeded in the southeast while the remaining regions each have 97 per cent of the crop seeded.

Much of the province received significant rainfall which has slowed down field operations.  The Kinistino area reported the greatest amount of rainfall at 93 mm.  Provincially, topsoil moisture on crop land is rated as 10 per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate and six per cent short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 86 per cent adequate and 10 per cent short.

The majority of fall cereals are in the tillering to jointed stages of crop development while most spring cereals are in the emerging to tillering stages.  The majority of pulse crops are emerging and in the vegetative stages and flax crops are mostly in the pre-emergent or emerging crop stages.  Canola and mustard crops are emerging or at the seedling stage of crop development.

Some reported crop damage this week was due to localized flooding, frost and insect damage from flea beetles, cutworms and pea leaf weevil.

Farmers are busy finishing seeding and controlling weeds.

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)

Despite wet field conditions in much of the region, producers in the southeast have now seeded 93 per cent of the 2013 crop, up significantly from 71 per cent last week.  The five-year (2008-2012) average for this time of year is approximately 80 per cent of acres seeded. 

Rainfall this week ranged from trace amounts to more than two inches in some areas.  The Moosomin area received 58 mm of rainfall, the Frobisher area 35 mm, the Manor area 17 mm, the Stoughton area 26 mm, the Broadview area 28 mm, the Glenavon area 28 mm, the Weyburn area 14 mm, the Briercrest area 15 mm, the Indian Head area 18 mm, the Pense area 8 mm and the Radville area 13 mm.  Since April 1, the Radville area has received the greatest amount of precipitation (180 mm).

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 26 per cent surplus, 72 per cent adequate and two per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 93 per cent adequate and two per cent short.  CDs 1A and 2A are reporting that 31 per cent and 53 per cent, respectively, of the cropland has surplus topsoil moisture at this time. 

The majority of crop damage this week is due to flooding, frost and insects.  Some areas are reporting that heavy rainfall received in the last few weeks has packed the ground and excess moisture is not drying quickly.  Many fields and access roads remain under water and some producers will not be able to complete seeding in some southern areas of the region.  The majority of producers are now starting in-crop spraying operations on drier fields as weed growth is substantial in some areas.  Most crops are still behind normal developmental stages for this time of year and will need more warm weather to help them catch up.            

Farmers are busy finishing seeding, controlling weeds and working on equipment. 

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 is almost complete in the southwest.  Ninety-seven per cent of the crop is in the ground, compared to 90 per cent last week.  The five-year (2008-2012) average for this time of year is 91 per cent. 

For many producers, rainfall received last week was welcomed to help alleviate dry field conditions; for others, the extra moisture may not allow seeding to be completed this year in some southern areas.  The Bengough area received 21 mm of rainfall, the Rockglen and Cabri areas 17 mm, the Lafleche area 33 mm, the Mortlach area 18 mm, the Eyebrow area 16 mm, the Central Butte area 35 mm, the Cadillac area 27 mm, the Glenbain area 30 mm, the Webb area 24 mm, the Gull Lake area 11 mm and the Richmound area 9 mm.  The Coronach area has received the greatest amount of precipitation since April 1 with 205 mm.

Topsoil moisture for cropland is rated as five per cent surplus, 88 per cent adequate and seven per cent short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 85 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and one per cent very short. 

Crop damage this week is due to frost, wind and insect damage from cutworms, flea beetles and pea leaf weevil.  Some southern areas have flooding damage while other areas have damaged crops from a lack of moisture.  There have been reports of frost damage to some alfalfa stands.  In-crop spraying is underway and many producers are reporting large amounts of weeds in some fields.  Some areas are reporting uneven crop emergence and staging due to moisture conditions but warm weather would help the crops catch up.           

Farmers are busy finishing seeding, controlling weeds 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)

Seeding continues to advance in the east-central region thanks to warm weather conditions.  Ninety-seven per cent of the crop is now in the ground, significantly up from 84 per cent last week.  The five-year (2008-2012) average for this time of year is 84 per cent.

Timely rainfall was received for much of the region and has helped to germinate crops.  The Saltcoats area received 22 mm of rainfall, the Ituna and Pelly areas 18 mm, the Raymore area 13 mm, the Preeceville area 23 mm, the Quill Lake area 17 mm, the Bulyea area 30 mm, the Meacham area 36 mm, the Saskatoon area 32 mm and the Semans area 19 mm.  Since April 1, the Esterhazy area has received the greatest amount of precipitation (125 mm).

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as seven per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate and 15 per cent short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate and 20 per cent short. 

Insects, frost, hail, wind and dry field conditions have damaged crops this week.  There have been reports of flea beetle and cutworm damage to some canola crops.  Frost has damaged some hay fields.  Additional moisture and warm weather would be welcomed to help crops emerge and hay fields grow.  In-crop spraying operations are starting and most producers will be back in the field in the coming weeks.      

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

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

Seeding progress is nearing completion and 97 per cent of the crop is in the ground, up from 87 per cent last week.  The five-year (2008-2012) average for this time of year is 96 per cent.

Most of the region received some rainfall this week.  The Tramping Lake area received 48 mm, the Sonningdale area 38 mm, the Biggar area 36 mm, the Cando area 35 mm, the Harris and Perdue areas 34 mm and the Dinsmore and Kindersley areas 29 mm. Since April 1, the Major area has received the greatest amount of precipitation (106 mm).

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 90 per cent adequate and four per cent short.  Likewise, hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 90 per cent adequate and four per cent short. CD 7A is reporting topsoil moisture in crop land as nine per cent short and two per cent very short and hay land and pasture topsoil moisture as 10 per cent short and two per cent very short.

There was localized flooding that caused crop damage in some areas of the region this week. Damage from winds and dry conditions were reported in other areas.  There were a few reports of insect damage by flea beetles and cutworms to canola crops.  Spraying has started in many areas when wind and rain allows.

Farmers are busy finishing seeding, controlling weeds and rolling pulses.

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)

Producers now have 97 per cent of the crop seeded, up 10 per cent from last week.  The five-year (2008-2012) average for this time of year is 88 per cent of acres seeded.

There was rainfall throughout the region over this last week. The Kinistino area received 93 mm, the Melfort area 61 mm, the Prince Albert area 51 mm, the Lake Lenore area 50 mm, the Birch Hills area 39 mm, the Garrick area 30 mm, the Arborfield area 28 mm and the Tisdale and Nipawan areas 25 mm. Since April 1, the Kinistino area has received the greatest amount of precipitation (99 mm).

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 13 per cent surplus and 87 per cent adequate. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 10 per cent surplus, 89 per cent adequate and one per cent short.  CD 8B is reporting that 24 per cent of crop land and 20 per cent of hay and pasture land have surplus topsoil moisture at this time. 

Crop reporters are indicating that some crops have been damaged by localized flooding and hail. Insect damage by flea beetles and cutworms was also reported in some areas. Seeding operations are complete or are almost complete for most producers and in-crop spraying is underway.  The recent rain was welcomed by most producers as it was well timed to help the crops emerge and grow.

Farmers are busy finishing seeding, controlling weeds and working fields.

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

Seeding has progressed in the northwest over the last week and rainfall has been beneficial to growing crops. Ninety-seven per cent of the crop is now in the ground, up from 89 per cent last week. The five-year (2008-2012) average for this time of year is 95 per cent.

Over the last week most of the region has received rainfall. The Meadow Lake area received 43 mm, the Neilburg, Rabbit Lake and Radisson areas 31mm, the Spiritwood area 28 mm, the Hafford area 23 mm, the Speers area 22 mm and the Duck Lake and Turtleford areas 21 mm. Since April 1, the Meadow area has received the greatest amount of precipitation (72 mm).

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as five per cent surplus, 93 per cent adequate and two per cent short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate and 10 per cent short. CD 9AW is reporting that 17 per cent of the hay and pasture land is short topsoil moisture while six per cent has surplus soil moisture at this time.

Crop damage this week was from frost and insects such as flea beetles and grasshoppers.  There are reports that hay and pasture land have improved greatly with the recent rainfall. The majority of producers are almost done seeding and spraying has started in most areas when winds allow. The moisture over the last week was well timed for growing crops.

Farmers are finishing seeding, spraying, picking stones, and moving cattle to pasture.