Saskatchewan Agriculture issued its first weekly crop report of 2022 today, showing that only one percent of all crops are in the ground. The report cited cool temperatures and spring snowstorms as holding back many farmers getting into their fields.
The overall five-year average at this time of year is five percent complete. This time last year, farmers were at nine percent done. The department said progress this spring will pick up once it’s dry enough.
Of the crops already planted, spring wheat, barley and field peas lead the way at four percent finished. Durum follows at three percent and lentils at two.
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There have been reports of winterkill on winter wheat, fall rye and other crops planted last fall. The extent at this time is uncertain as the damage continued to be assessed. The hardest hit region of the province was the southwest due to a lack of sufficient snow cover.
Although spring runoff was better this spring than last year, Saskatchewan Agriculture stressed the need for timely rains to maintain sufficient moisture levels. The report placed cropland topsoil moisture levels at five percent surplus, 55 adequate, 26 short and 14 very short. Hay and pasture lands rated two percent surplus, 52 adequate, 29 short and 17 very short.
Not only will timely rains be needed to sustain crops, but also for livestock. The department noted pasture conditions didn’t winter very well with zero percent excellent, 12 good, 22 fair, 37 poor and 29 very poor. Added to that are issues with forage supplies, which were pegged at 55 percent adequate and 65 inadequate. Feedgrain supplies were estimated at 55 percent adequate and 45 inadequate.
