SOUTHEASTERN SASKATCHEWAN CROP REGION — Rainy conditions prevented producers from getting into their fields this past week in the Southeastern Saskatchewan crop region. Currently, 17 per cent of the crop is now in the ground, this is well behind the five-year average (2017-2021) of 60 per cent for this time of year.
Within the region 27 per cent of the durum acres, 26 per cent of the field peas, 21 per cent of the lentil, 13 per cent of the barley and 10 per cent of the spring wheat is now in the ground.
There was a large amount of rain that was received across the region with areas like Estevan receiving 120 mm. The Weyburn area received 92 mm, the Moosomin and Wilcox areas 75 mm, the Indian Head area 62 mm and the Marquis area 29 mm. This precipitation continues to delay producers from seeding, but it will greatly benefit pasture and hay lands in the region. Areas that saw significant amounts of rain over a short period of time experienced small amounts of flooding.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 15 per cent surplus, 65 per cent adequate, nine per cent short and eleven per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 81 per cent adequate, eleven per cent short and eight per cent very short. Pastures have received the moisture needed for growth. Now, they just need warm, sunny days to allow for rapid regrowth to occur.
Producers are patiently waiting for their fields to dry out and resume seeding, some producers are harrowing their fields to attempt to dry them out faster. Producers who only received light showers have been busy in their fields.
Provincial overview: Rain and more rain
Large amounts of rainfall are generally improving topsoil moisture and pasture conditions in the province, while also delaying seeding, particularly in the eastern half of the province. Producers who have been able to get in the field are making good progress, with 33 per cent of the 2022 crop now in the ground. As this is behind the five-year average (2017-2021) of 53 per cent, producers are hoping for some warm days to allow field work to advance.
Sixty per cent of the crop has been seeded in the southwest region, 53 per cent in the west central, 35 per cent in the northwest, 17 per cent in the southeast, 13 per cent in the east central and eight per cent in the northeast. Fifty-nine per cent of lentils, 57 per cent of field peas, 51 per cent of durum, 29 per cent of spring wheat and 27 per cent of barley have been seeded to date. Barley, peas and lentils have begun sprouting throughout the southwest and west central regions.
A significant weather system moved across the province in the latter half of the week, bringing lots of rainfall in some areas. The Estevan area reported more than 120 mm over two days, the Weyburn area 92 mm, the Big Beaver area 87 mm, the Moosomin area 75 mm and the Eyebrow area 35 mm. Many parts of the southwest, west central and northwest did not receive significant amounts rainfall and rain would be appreciated once seeding concludes.
With almost weekly rainfall events, topsoil moisture conditions continue to improve for the province. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 12 per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and 12 per cent very short. Hay and pastureland topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and 16 per cent very short. Pasturelands that have received moisture all spring are beginning to see good recovery from the 2021 drought and their carrying capacity of cattle is increasing.
