Warm dry weather has helped farmers in the southeast region make a lot of progress with their seeding operations, with seeding at 84 per cent completion for the entire area.
In the Weyburn crop district (2A), seeding is further along at 91 per cent completion, and in the Radville-Lake Alma area (3ASE), seeding is 90 per cent done.
Provincially, seeding was at 80 per cent, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 78 per cent for this time of year.
Crop reporters for the southeast said there is good germination of early-seeded crops, and farmers are now focusing on finishing up their seeding.
Most of the crops are normal in their developmental stage for this time of year. Broken down by crops, fall cereals are 93 per cent normal and seven per cent behind, while oilseeds are 42 per cent normal and 57 per cent behind.
Spring cereals are 44 per cent ahead, 47 per cent at normal development and nine per cent behind, while pulse crops are two per cent ahead, 86 per cent normal and 12 per cent behind in their development.
Rainfall ranged from 7 mm in the RM of Tecumseh to 3 mm in the RM of Weyburn, 4 mm in the RMs of Brokenshell and Wellington, a trace in the RM of Fillmore, 1 mm in the Francis area, and 3.2 mm in the RM of Laurier.
Moisture in most fields is adequate to support crop germination and initial growth, but more moisture will be required for the pastures and hay land. With seeding nearing completion for many farmers, they would like a good rain.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 72 per cent adequate and 26 per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 56 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and five per cent very short.
Pasture conditions are rated as one per cent excellent, 59 per cent good, 32 per cent fair, seven per cent poor and one per cent very poor.
Most areas in the southeast reported minimal crop damage, and for those reporting damage, the majority was due to strong winds, limited moisture and flea beetles. There were some reports of light frost that caused limited to no damage.
Farmers have been busy seeding, spraying, picking rocks and moving cattle to pasture.
