As of April 30, 2015 Saskatchewan farmers are in the field, seeding, harrowing and controlling weeds. Two per cent of the 2015 crop is in the ground. The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is less than one per cent.
Producers in the southwest have been seeding for a couple of weeks, and have seven per cent of the crop in.聽 Some areas in the southwest are reporting 20 per cent seeded. Significant rain and snow over the weekend, particularly in areas of the central and northern regions, have delayed seeding and field work. Most producers are hoping to be in the field again at the start of next week.
The southeastern region has four per cent seeded. All other regions have very little, if any, crop in the ground to date.
Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 20 per cent surplus, 76 per cent adequate and four per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 11 per cent surplus, 80 per cent adequate and nine per cent short. Pasture conditions are rated as 12 per cent excellent, 53 per cent good, 26 per cent fair and nine per cent poor.聽 Some pastures have excess moisture or are slow to green up.
Areas in the eastern regions are reporting excess moisture.聽 Precipitation during the past week varied across the province, with some central regions reporting 75 mm. Areas in the north reported receiving up to 20 cm of snow. Weather has generally been good for spring calving.
Follow the 2015 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.
