Saskatchewan seeding nearly done

Jun 18, 2026 | 4:43 PM

Saskatchewan farmers are close to completing spring seeding, although the east central region remains behind because of wet conditions and heavy rain.

Ministry of Agriculture crops extension specialist Augustine Osei, based in Weyburn, said seeding is 97 per cent complete provincially, up from 93 per cent last week and slightly below the five- and 10-year average of 99 per cent.

“Progress was slow due to moisture and precipitation received in some parts,” Osei said. “Some fields, as reporters mentioned, are wet at the moment, which made them inaccessible for seeding to progress as much as some would have liked.”

The west central and southwest regions are the most advanced at 99 per cent complete, followed by the southeast, northeast and northwest regions at 98 per cent. The east central region is at 90 per cent.

Osei said crop emergence provincewide has been very good, based on crop reporters’ information.

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“Some of the later-seeded crops are starting to emerge, and those that have emerged are normal for this time of year, with a few behind and a few ahead,” he said. “Crop conditions are mostly fair, good and excellent across the region. It depends on where you are and the growing conditions in the region.”

Topsoil moisture conditions range from surplus to mostly adequate. Some regions are reporting very short or short topsoil moisture conditions, especially those that did not receive precipitation.

Environmental factors, including wind and flooding, caused damage, though most was reported as minor or moderate. There were also a few reports of heat stress.

“Across the regions, there have been a lot of reports of flea beetle damage, with cutworms also mentioned,” Osei said. “In some localized areas, minor damage came from hail and gophers.”

With seeding nearly wrapped up, producers are turning to in-crop spraying.

“But in most regions, strong winds coupled with excess moisture are slowing in-crop spraying,” he said. “In those regions, producers are hoping for favourable weather to proceed.”

Osei said this time of year can be stressful and reminded farmers the Farm Stress Line is available 24-7.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

by Alice McFarlane

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Saskatchewan seeding nearly done

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