Seeding gains, still behind

May 14, 2026 | 12:40 PM

Several farmers are just getting started seeding.

The latest Saskatchewan crop report was released Thursday morning. Kim Stonehouse, crops extension specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture based in Tisdale, said for the producers that were able to get into the field, a fair bit of spring seeding progress was made over the past week.

“There was limited precipitation last week and the runoff water is now starting to recede, so seeding is ramping up in many areas,” he said. “We’re currently at about 16 per cent of the 2026 crop in the ground. That’s up about 13 percentage points from last week. It is behind the five-year average of 28 per cent and the 10-year average of 27 per cent for this time of year.”

Most regions made progress this week, especially the southwest, where seeding is 34 per cent complete. The southeast is 24 per cent complete and the west-central region is 13 per cent complete.

Stonehouse said most of the seeded acreage so far is pulse crops, such as field peas and lentils, followed by cereals and oilseeds.

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“Currently, pulse crops are 33 per cent seeded for field peas, 32 per cent for lentils and 19 per cent for chickpeas. For cereal crops, 29 per cent of durum is in the ground, 23 per cent of triticale has been seeded, 14 per cent of spring wheat and barley, five per cent of canaryseed, three per cent of oats, nine per cent of mustard, seven per cent of canola and flax, and two per cent of soybeans. Perennial forages are about 10 per cent,” he said.

Stonehouse said livestock producers appear to be happy with the water quality in their dugouts.

With the later start to seeding season many producers will be pushing hard to get the crop in. Stonehouse said farmers and the general public need to keep safety in mind during spring seeding.

“I’d like to encourage drivers to watch for farm machinery on highways and roads during this very busy season and remind producers to take precautions while transporting their equipment so everybody is safe at the end of the day.”

The Farm Stress Line is available to producers, their families and farm employees through the toll-free number 1-800-667-4442 at any time for confidential, free services from mental health professionals trained in issues facing producers.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

by Alice McFarlane

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Seeding gains, still behind

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