(ID 3343815 © Eti Swinford Dreamstime.com)

By Alice McFarlane

Crop Report 2021

Much needed moisture arrives in Saskatchewan

May 27, 2021 | 3:10 PM

MELFORT, Sask. — Rain slowed seeding progress in Saskatchewan this last week but there weren’t many farmers complaining.

Crops Extension Specialist Matt Struthers compiles the weekly crop report for the Ministry of Agriculture. Even with the rain delays, 86 per cent of the crop is in the ground which is well ahead of the five-year average of 77 per cent for this time of year, he said.

“The recent rains will greatly improve crop germination and emergence across many parts of the province. So, it’s very good to see,” Struthers said.

The southwest region is the farthest along with 91 per cent of the crop seeded. Eighty-nine per cent has been seeded in the west central, 87 per cent seeded in the northwest, 86 per cent seeded in the southeast, 85 per cent seeded in the northeast and lastly, 77 per cent seeded in the east central region of the province.

Southern areas reported very high rainfalls. The Limerick area received the most with 116 mm. The Indian Head area received 108 mm and the Odessa area received 100 mm.

Responsive measures

Some Sask. farmers to get winter elk hunting permits next year to protect land

Mar 12, 2026

Buy Now, Pay Later!

Spring 2026 Early Buy Program

Mar 09, 2026

SARM Convention

Sask RMs gather to address come concerns

Mar 06, 2026

Even though the rain delayed seeding it will help crop and pasture growth.

Ituna, Sask. rancher Adrienne Ivey said this was the definition of a timely rain.

“In the 20 years my husband and I have been farming this land, it has never been as dry as it was the spring, which had us very worried like a lot of places across Saskatchewan,” Ivey told farmnewsNOW.

Ivey said they had an inch of moisture that came from an ice storm followed by an inch of rain. She said they are in good shape now.

“We’re looking forward to a good growing season. Everything has the moisture needed to get germinated and get started growing and our pastures are turning green. Life is very good on the farm right now,” she said.

The temperatures dropped midweek and frost was reported with areas getting down to -5 C for overnight lows.

Ivey said they had frost, but it did not impact their farm.

“It was a benefit being as dry as we were. Crops most at risk hadn’t actually germinated yet because they were sitting in dry dirt,” Ivey said. “The canola was safe because it wasn’t above the ground yet. Fingers crossed, knock on wood, we’re past that danger.”

Most of the crop damage reported this week was from strong winds, frosts, limited moisture, and flea beetles.

Producers are continuing to seed, moving livestock to pasture, busy with calving and spraying pre-and post-emergent herbicides now that weeds are starting to emerge.

–

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW