Saskatchewan farmers are entering the home stretch of the spring seeding season, with 97 per cent of the provincial crop now in the ground despite recent heavy rainfall slowing progress.
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According to the weekly crop report released on June 18, seeding advancement is up from 93 per cent the previous week. However, damp conditions have kept progress slightly behind the five- and 10-year historical averages of 99 per cent completion for this time of year.
Excess moisture and highly variable rainfall caused localized delays, but provincial officials say operations are nearing completion in almost all areas.
The west-central and southwest regions are the most advanced at 99 per cent complete, followed closely by the southeast and northern regions at 98 per cent. The east-central region continues to trail the rest of the province at 90 per cent complete.
By crop category, major staples are nearly entirely wrapped up. Spring wheat and field peas lead the way at 99 per cent seeded, followed closely by durum at 98 per cent and canola and lentils at 97 per cent. Slower progress was noted for specialty crops and forages, with chickpeas at 89 per cent and perennial forages at 76 per cent complete.
Topsoil moisture conditions across provincial croplands remain mostly stable, with 74 per cent rated as adequate, 15 per cent surplus, 10 per cent short and 1 per cent very short. The variation follows substantial downpours in some areas, including the Rural Municipality of Lipton, which recorded a weekly high of 90 millimetres of rain.
While the majority of crops are developing at a normal pace, the Ministry of Agriculture noted that a notable portion is lagging behind expected stages due to recent weather fluctuations.
Producers also reported minor crop damage over the past week caused by localized flooding, gophers, wind and flea beetles.
With fields nearly fully planted, agricultural efforts are transitioning toward widespread in-crop herbicide applications and scouting for pests and disease.
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