Farmers in the Lloydminster region are nearly done seeding. The northwest region, which includes the border area, hit 95 per cent seeding completion this week, up from 86 per cent.
That puts the region ahead of the provincial figure of 93 per cent, though Saskatchewan as a whole still trails the five- and 10-year average of 97 per cent.
Several regions are closing in on completion. The west-central region leads at 98 per cent, followed by the southwest at 97 per cent, the southeast at 96 per cent and the northwest at 95 per cent. The northeast reached 92 per cent. The east-central region made progress but remains the furthest behind at 84 per cent complete.
Field peas are nearly done provincially at 99 per cent, followed by lentils at 96 per cent and durum at 97 per cent. Spring wheat reached 96 per cent, barley 91 per cent and oats 85 per cent. Canola hit 93 per cent, flax 86 per cent and chickpeas 87 per cent.
Crops are at varying stages of development, reflecting the uneven conditions across the province.
Spring cereals are mostly at the seedling stage, with 54 per cent of the crop there and 23 per cent still pre-emergent. Pulse crops are 65 per cent at the seedling stage and 22 per cent at the vegetative stage. Canola and mustard are 60 per cent at the seedling stage, with 35 per cent still pre-emergent.
Winter cereals are further along, with 24 per cent heading, 17 per cent at flag leaf, 23 per cent at stem elongation and 36 per cent still tillering.
Rainfall was sharply uneven this week. The Calder area received 164 millimetres, the RM of Fertile Belt 118 millimetres and the Langenburg region 116 millimetres. Some areas received nothing.
Overall topsoil moisture held relatively stable, though surplus levels increased in areas that received heavy rain. Cropland moisture sits at 77 per cent adequate and 13 per cent surplus, with nine per cent short and one per cent very short. Hayland came in at 77 per cent adequate and 10 per cent surplus. Pasture moisture is 76 per cent adequate, with eight per cent surplus and 14 per cent short.
Crop damage this week came from wind, flooding and hail, alongside minor insect pressure from flea beetles and cutworms. Gopher damage was reported in all regions except the northeast.
With seeding wrapping up in many areas, producers are shifting their focus to in-crop herbicide applications and scouting for insects and disease.
Producers with crop or livestock questions can call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
Read more: Sask. seeding up sharply, still trailing five-year mark
