West-central seeding jumps to 69 per cent

By Your Southwest Media Group

Farmers had nearly 70 per cent of their west-central Saskatchewan fields seeded early last week.

They were 69 per cent finished planting their crops as of May 25, up from 30 per cent a week earlier, the provincial Agriculture Department's regional report said. They were still behind their five-year average of 83 per cent at that point in the season.

They'd planted 88 per cent of their field peas, 84 per cent of the lentils, 68 per cent of the spring wheat, 57 per cent of the durum, 54 per cent of their barley and 59 per cent of the canola.

Little rain fell in the area that week, so topsoil moisture levels didn't change much, the report indicated. They were at one per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate and 18 per cent short in fields, and around one per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate and 24 per cent short in hay and pasture land.

About 40 to 50 per cent of fields had reached normal development, the report indicated. Wind and gophers had caused minor damage, and dry conditions were responsible for minor to moderate damage, it said.

Around the province, farmers "made significant seeding progress" during the week, due to mainly favourable weather. They'd planted 52 per cent of their fields, behind the five-year average of 74 per cent.

Those in the southwest remained in front, with 74 per cent of their fields seeded, followed by west-central, 69 per cent; southeast, 61 per cent; northwest, 55 per cent; east-central, 26 per cent; and northeast, 25 per cent.

"Crop development remains generally behind across all categories, with minimal acres ahead of normal" and fall cereals and perennial forage "closer to expected stages," the report said.