Winnipeg, May 26 (CNS Canada) – Saskatchewan farmers continued to make good progress seeding, according to the latest report from Saskatchewan Agriculture.
As of May 23 roughly 81 percent of the crop was seeded, with warm and dry weather helping farmers keep well ahead of the five-year average of 59 percent, the report said. Many producers have completed seeding and are starting spraying for weeds.
Seeding is farthest along in the southwest, at 90 percent complete. The east-central region still has the most to go, at only 68 percent complete.
Rainfall during the week ranged from trace amounts to several inches in the west-central region. Some areas will need rain in the coming weeks to help crops emerge and establish, said the report.
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The majority of emerged crops were either at or ahead of their normal developmental stages for this time of year. Overall, crops were in good condition, although some damage caused by flea beetles, cutworms, strong winds, localized flooding, and lack of moisture was reported.
Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland were rated as three percent surplus, 83 percent adequate, 13 percent short, and one percent very short.
Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture was rated as one percent surplus, 72 percent adequate, 20 percent short, and seven percent very short.
Pasture conditions were rated as seven percent excellent, 57 percent good, 26 percent fair, nine percent poor, and one percent very poor.
