Saskatchewan Agriculture has issued its first crop report of the year—with an initial provincial seeding estimate of 12 per cent complete. That is behind the five-year average of 23 per cent seeded. However, that is of little concern this early considering the reason for the delay has been some much need rainfall.

Moose Jaw had the highest total of 103 millimetres (mm), or just over four inches. Other examples from around the province during two separate weather events—Foam Lake 68 mm, Kenaston 67 mm, Hague and Rose Valley 55 mm, Rosetown 49mm, Lake Lenore 48 mm, Hafford 33 mm and North Battleford 28 millimetres.

Levi Wood and his family farm approximately 20,000 acres in the Regina region.

Rain is also welcomed by livestock producers wanting to put their animals out to pasture. Blaine McLeod is a dairy farmer and also the SaskParty MLA for Lumsden-Morse. He calls the rain a godsend.

The southwest is furthest advanced with 23 per cent of seeding done. The southeast is 16 per cent seeded with the northwest is at eight per cent and the west-central regions at five per cent. The east-central and northeast regions have four and three per cent seeded respectively.

Topsoil moisture conditions have improved with the recent rain. On a provincial basis, the ratings are eight per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and one per cent very short. For hay land it’s four per cent surplus, 74 per cent adequate, 18 per cent short and four per cent very short.

Fifty-nine percent of livestock producers estimate there will be no shortage of on-farm surface water supplies with 23 per cent saying shortages could occur in one or two months, depending on rainfall. Eighty-one per cent of producers are not concerned with water quality for livestock. You can read the full Sask Ag Report below:

SOUTHEAST

Census Division 1 – Carnduff, Estevan, Lampman, Redvers and Stoughton areas
Census Division 2 – Avonlea, Fillmore, Minton, Radville and Weyburn areas
Census Division 5 – Broadview, Esterhazy, Melville and Moosomin areas
Census Division 6 – Belle Plaine, Cupar, Lumsden, Indian Head, Regina and Rouleau areas

Although seeding progress was slowed due to the recent precipitation, the southeast is reporting 16 per cent complete seeding. Of the crops seeded, field peas and lentils are the furthest along at 31 per cent and 29 per cent respectively. Durum follows close behind at 28 per cent seeded. Mustard is the least at only two per cent seeded within the region.

The Belle Plaine area received a significant amount of rain this past week, reporting 77 mm followed by the Whitewood area where they received 64 mm. Radville and Avonlea areas received 43 mm and 36 mm respectively. The Alida area also reported rainfall this past week at 24 mm.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as nine per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate, seven per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 73 per cent adequate, 19 per cent short and three per cent very short. Pasture is rated similar with five per cent surplus, 72 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and three per cent very short.

Seventy per cent of producers currently estimate that there will be no shortages of on-farm surface water supplies for livestock with 15 per cent estimating that shortages may occur in 1-2 months depending on future moisture conditions and 15 per cent indicating that there are moderate shortages occurring. Eighty-five per cent of producers are not concerned with water quality for their livestock.

Producers welcomed the rain over the past week to help replenish soil moisture and pasture conditions. They will be looking for a stretch of dry and warm weather to get back in the field and resume seeding activities.

SOUTHWEST

Census Division 3 – Assiniboia, Gravelbourg, Mankota, Ponteix and Rockglen areas
Census Division 4 – Cadillac, Consul, Eastend, Maple Creek and Val Marie areas
Census Division 7 – Beechy, Central Butte, Craik, Herbert, Hodgeville and Moose Jaw areas
Census Division 8 – Cabri, Elrose, Fox Valley, Leader, Swift Current and Tompkins areas

Although the recent moisture slowed seeding progress, the southwest region is the furthest advanced at 23 per cent complete. Overall, pulse crops lead seeding progress in this region. Field peas and chickpeas are furthest ahead with 35 per cent and 31 per cent complete respectively. Barley is reported to be 26 per cent complete. Triticale is the least seeded at three per cent within the region.

Although variable, rainfall was widespread throughout the region this past week. The Moose Jaw area received a significant amount of rain, reporting 103 mm. The Mossbank area reported 61 mm. The Admiral and Kyle areas received 34 mm and 30 mm respectively.

Topsoil moisture conditions have improved with the recent rain. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 76 per cent adequate, 19 per cent short. Hay land topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate, 14 per cent short and 13 per cent very short. Pasture is rated at two per cent surplus, 73 per cent adequate, 18 per cent short and eight per cent very short.

On-farm surface water supplies for livestock are still of concern within the region. Forty-eight per cent of producers are currently estimating that shortages may occur in 1-2 months with 19 per cent reporting that moderate shortages are occurring. Thirty-three per cent of producers estimate that there will be no shortages. Seventy-four per cent of producers are not concerned with water quality for their livestock.

Within the region producers are finishing up calving and moving cattle to pasture. As weather allows, producers will be getting back in the field to resume seeding operations.

WEST CENTRAL

Census Division 12 – Biggar, Delisle, Rosetown and Sonningdale areas
Census Division 13 – Cut Knife, Kerrobert, Kindersley, Macklin, Plenty and Wilkie areas

Although seeding has been delayed within much of the region, producers welcomed the much-needed moisture. The seeding progress is reported at five per cent. Pulse crops and perennial forages are the main crops that have been seeded so far within the region.

Varying amounts of rainfall fell within the region over the past week. The Dinsmore area reported the most at 52 mm followed by Rosetown at 49 mm. The Battleford area received 28 mm and Macklin received 10 mm.

Given the recent rainfall, topsoil moisture conditions have improved throughout much of the region, but areas are still hoping for moisture soon to help further improve conditions. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 72 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and six per cent very short. Hay land topsoil moisture is rated as 60 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and 13 per cent very short. Pasture is rated at 60 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and 14 per cent very short.

On-farm surface water supplies for livestock are still showing to be of some concern within the region. Thirty-five per cent of producers are currently estimating that shortages may occur in 1-2 months with 17 per cent reporting moderate shortages occurring and nine per cent reporting severe shortages. Thirty-three per cent of producers estimated that there will be no shortages. Seventy-eight per cent of producers are not concerned with water quality for their livestock currently.

Producers are busy moving cattle to pastures and waiting for environmental conditions to allow them to get in the field and continue with their seeding operations.

NORTHWEST

Census Division 16 – Blaine Lake, Canwood, North Battleford, Radisson and Spiritwood areas
Census Division 17 – Glaslyn, Maidstone, Meadow Lake, Pierceland and St. Walburg areas

Producers in the northwest are eight per cent complete seeding.  Pulses, spring wheat and flax are among the crops mainly seeded within the region. Although some rain fell within the region over the past week, producers would appreciate more to help replenish moisture conditions.

Overall, the northwest did not receive as much rainfall as the rest of the province. The highest amount reported in the region was in the Hafford area at 33 mm.  The Medstead and St. Walburg areas received 12 mm and 5 mm respectively.

Although the recent rainfall improved topsoil moisture conditions, much of the region is still hoping for moisture to help further improve conditions. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 78 per cent adequate, 19 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hay land topsoil moisture is rated as 61 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and four per cent very short. Pasture is rated at 59 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and five per cent very short.

On-farm surface water supplies for livestock is still a concern for producers in the region. Twenty-three per cent of producers are currently estimating that shortages may occur in 1-2 months with 31 per cent reporting moderate shortages occurring. Forty-six per cent anticipate no shortages. Thirty-three per cent of producers estimated that there will be no shortages. Sixty-nine per cent of producers are not concerned with water quality for their livestock currently.

Producers continue with seeding and spraying as the weather allows. Producers are waiting for the pastures to green up before they begin moving their cattle.

EAST CENTRAL

Census Division 9 – Calder, Canora, Pelly, Preeceville, Sheho and Yorkton areas
Census Division 10 – Foam Lake, Kelliher, Leroy, Raymore and Wadena areas
Census Division 11 – Davidson, Colonsay, Langham, Lanigan, Nokomis, Outlook and Saskatoon areas

Seeding progress is a bit delayed in the east-central region due to the spring snowfall and cooler temperatures. The region reports four per cent of seeding is complete. This is slightly ahead of the reported three per cent reported at this time last year.

All areas within the region reported variable amounts of rainfall this past week. The Foam Lake area reported the most at 68 mm followed by the Kenaston region at 67 mm. The Jedburgh area reported 41 mm and the Canora area reported 10 mm of rain for the past week.  An increase in temperature and pause in rainfall would be welcome in the area to green up pastures and allow for seeding activities to progress.

Topsoil moisture conditions are looking good within the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 17 per cent surplus, 77 per cent adequate, six per cent short. Hay land topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate, nine per cent short and one per cent very short. Pasture is rated at five per cent surplus, 83 per cent adequate, 10 per cent short and two per cent very short.

Seventy-five per cent of producers currently estimate that there will be no shortages of on-farm surface water supplies for livestock with 14 per cent estimating that shortages may occur in 1-2 months depending on future moisture conditions. Eighty-six per cent of producers are not concerned with water quality for their livestock.

Producers are looking to either start seeding or resume seeding activities once conditions allow within the region. A few producers are still working to finish combining crops that were left out over the winter as well.

NORTHEAST

Census Division 14 – Choiceland, Hudson Bay, Kelvington, Melfort, and Nipawin areas
Census Division 15 – Cudworth, Humboldt, Kinistino, Prince Albert, Rosthern and St. Brieux areas

Spring snowfall and cooler temperatures delayed seeding operations within the region. The region is reported at three per cent complete. The main crops seeded currently are pulses.

Widespread rainfall occurred throughout the region this past week. Hague and Rose Valley received the most with both areas reporting 55 mm. Lake Lenore area received 48 mm and Tisdale area received 47 mm. A few producers were busy applying anhydrous ammonia fertilizer and harrowing prior to the rainfall.

Topsoil moisture conditions are looking good within the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as eight per cent surplus, 88 per cent adequate and four per cent short. Hay land topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 92 per cent adequate and seven per cent short. Pasture is rated at one per cent surplus, 91 per cent adequate and eight per cent short.

Seventy-five per cent of producers currently estimate that there will be no shortages of on-farm surface water supplies for livestock with 11 per cent estimating that shortages may occur in 1-2 months depending on future moisture conditions and 14 per cent indicating moderate shortages occurring. Eighty-six per cent of producers are not concerned with water quality for their livestock.

Once fields dry from the recent moisture, many producers will resume their seeding operations. Producers are optimistic about the current soil moisture levels.