WINNIPEG — Farmers in Saskatchewan continued to make good seeding progress during the week ended May 18, with nearly two-thirds of intended acres planted to date, according to the latest weekly report from Saskatchewan Agriculture. However, cold temperatures during the week could lead to some frost damage that is still being assessed.
Dry weather during the week allowed farmers to make significant seeding progress, with 64 percent of the 2015 crop now seeded, according to the report. That compares with the five-year average of only 24 percent seeded by this time.
Producers in the southwest part of the province are most advanced, with 86 percent of the crop seeded. The east-central and northeastern regions are farthest behind, at 42 percent seeded.
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Cool and dry weather has delayed germination and crop development in many areas, according to the report. Frost was reported in many areas and producers are assessing damage at this time. Producers are hoping for warm weather.
Precipitation varied across the province, with moisture levels too high in some areas and too low in others. Some areas reported wet conditions resulting in machinery getting stuck and some access roads being impassable. Other areas were said to be hoping for rain to recharge the top soil that is getting too dry.
Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland were rated as 10 percent surplus, 68 percent adequate, 20 percent short and two percent very short. Hayland and pasture topsoil moisture was rated as eight percent surplus, 67 percent adequate, 19 percent short and six percent very short.
