Despite the rain delays experienced throughout the province, seeding progress has made great advances over the past week. Now sitting at 94 per cent completion, up just shy of 30 per cent from last week’s 77 per cent. Seeding progress falls short of the five and ten-year average of 97 per cent. 

The regions with the most advanced seeding progress are the southeast and southwest at 96 per cent, followed closely by east-central, west-central and northeast which sit at 92 per cent complete. 

Crops Extension Specialist Meghan Rosso details how the Moose Jaw Area is faring: 

“Seeding is reported at 96 per cent complete, within the region, up from 83 per cent last week. This is behind the five-year average of 99 per cent.”  

Field peas, lentils, spring wheat, and durum seeding is nearly complete in Saskatchewan, with mustard, triticale and perennial forage the furthest behind in seeding progress. 

The southwest area — which includes the Moose Jaw area — is keeping pace with the rest of the province explains Rosso: 

“Canola is reported at 98 per cent complete, followed by durum, barley and flax at 97 per cent. Spring wheat is 96 per cent complete. Oats, Canary seed, chickpeas and mustard are all reported at 93 per cent complete.”   

The crop reported to be furthest behind is perennial forage at 69 per cent completion. 

The variability of rainfall across the province was a factor, with some regions experiencing large amounts of precipitation. The Porcupine Plain area received the highest reported rainfall at 83 mm, followed by Foam Lake area at 73 mm. Precipitation in the Ituna and Lipton areas both received 52 mm. 

The continued precipitation has led to an increase in topsoil moisture content provincially, with cropland topsoil moisture rated at a four per cent surplus, 91 per cent adequate, and four per cent short. The Moose Jaw area conditions look favorable, with a four per cent surplus, 93 per cent adequate and three percent short moisture levels reported. 

Provincial hayland topsoil moisture levels are looking promising with a two per cent surplus, 88 per cent adequate and nine per cent short. The southwest region keeps pace with the provincial average with a four per cent surplus, 88 per cent of the region reported as adequate and eight per cent short. 

For pasture topsoil moisture levels, a three per cent surplus is reported, with 87 per cent adequate and ten per cent short. The area surrounding Moose Jaw is close to the provincial average, reporting six per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate and eight per cent short. 

 

Incoming warmer weather will be a benefit to crop development, as the province moves past the cooler temperatures which have resulted in variable stages of development and delays in seeding progress thus far. 

  • Forty-eight per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, 25 per cent at stem elongation, 20 per cent at flag leaf and seven per cent heading.  

  • Twenty-six per cent of spring cereals are at the pre-emergent stage with 57 per cent at the seedling stage and 17 per cent tillering.  

  • Eighteen per cent of pulse crops are at the pre-emergent stage with 68 per cent at the seedling stage and 14 per cent reported at the vegetative stage of development. 

  • Forty-three per cent of canola and mustard are at the pre-emergent stage, with 54 per cent at the seedling stage and three per cent at the rosette stage.  

  • Forty-seven per cent of flax is at the pre-emergent stage with 51 per cent at the seedling stage and two per cent starting stem elongation. 

Crop damage from various sources has been reported over the past week. Several regions in the province have noted wind, frost and hail damage. At this point the recorded crop damage has been reported as minor. 

Producers in some regions have experienced localized heavy rain that has drowned out crops in lower lying areas within affected fields. 

The Moose Jaw area and the surrounding southwest region are following the provincial trends.  

“Overall crop damage was reported as minor for the week, with damage caused by excessive moisture, frost, hail and wind,” Rosso explains. 

Minor crop damage from flea beetle and cutworm activity has also been reported throughout Saskatchewan, leading some producers to take control measures. 

Grasshopper and gopher populations and activity are still being monitored by producers at this time. 

Producers have been busy with seeding and spraying when the weather permits, along with rock picking, land rolling, moving cattle out to pasture and branding. Producers are reminded to keep safety top of mind while working.  

For any crop or livestock questions, producers are encouraged to call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Toll Free: 1-866-457-2377