EAST-CENTRAL SASKATCHEWAN — Good seeding progress was made this past week throughout the East-Central Crop Region. Most producers have completed their operations while others are still trying to get into low areas if they have dried up enough. Some producers have decided to change their seeding intentions to shorter season crops or green feed.
The region once again got large amounts of rain this past week, slowing down the last of seeding and hampering any spraying operations. Rainfall also resulted in some major flooding in the Watrous area where 62 mm of rain was received. The Rhein area received 41 mm, the Foam Lake area 35 mm and the Elfros and Wynyard areas 20 mm. Some areas in the region reported hail along with the rain but crop damage has not been assessed yet.
Topsoil moisture continues to rise in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 18 per cent surplus, 69 per cent adequate, 13 per cent short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 17 per cent surplus, 66 per cent adequate, 14 per cent short and three per cent very short.
Crop development is behind for the region with only 61 per cent of the fall cereals, 33 per cent of the spring cereals, 28 per cent of the oilseed crops and 56 per cent of the pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year. Crop conditions range from fair to good in the region, with 66 per cent of the spring wheat, 56 per of the canola and 60 per cent of the lentils being in good condition at this time.
The majority of crop damage this week was due to minor hail, flooding, flea beetles and gophers. Producers are busy in crop spraying for weeds and insect pests where necessary.
In the provincial overview, producers were able to wrap up most of the seeding operations in the province over the past week with 98 per cent of the crop now in the ground.
