Saskatchewan seeding underway, but flooding causes delays

REGINA — Spring flooding in parts of Saskatchewan has delayed seeding.

Overall, the first provincial crop report of the year said three per cent of the crop is in the ground, which is behind the five-year average of 12 per cent. A year ago, about 18 per cent was seeded.

“Cold temperatures, frozen soils and washed-out roads are limiting seeding progress for many areas. This is expected to change in the coming weeks,” the report said.

The southwest is furthest advanced at seven per cent and the southeast is at five per cent.

About one per cent of the crop is seeded in west-central regions, while farmers in the east-central, northeast and northwest are delayed.

Mostly durum and triticale has gone in, although some acres of all other crops have been reported.

Farmers are hoping for fields to dry up.

Topsoil moisture is rated 69 per cent adequate, 24 per cent surplus and seven per cent short. On hayland, topsoil moisture is 71 per cent adequate, 14 per cent surplus and 14 per cent short. On pasture, 71 per cent is adequate, 10 per cent surplus, 18 per cent short and one per cent very short.

Livestock producers in the west-central and southwest regions would like more moisture to fill dugouts and green up pastures. About half of crop reporters in those areas said runoff would not be enough to replenish dugouts.

In late April, pasture conditions were six per cent excellent, 42 per cent good, 24 per cent fair, 20 per cent poor and eight per cent very poor.