Province releases first crop report of 2018

Saskatchewan’s cool, wet spring has delayed seeding across much of the province, except in the south where some seeding has already begun. 

The province released its first crop report of the season on Thursday. According to the report, producers continue to deal with wet fields in the northern and eastern parts of the province. The province said harrowing and pre-seeding herbicide and fertilizer applications are being done, but many producers will be able to start seeding within the next week.

Just 64 per cent of crop land has adequate moisture conditions, according to the weekly crop report. Six per cent of topsoil moisture conditions were rated at surplus levels, while 20 per cent were short and another 10 per cent were rated as very short.

Topsoil moisture conditions on hay and pasture land were listed as being at three per cent surplus moisture and 63 per cent adequate conditions. Moisture levels on another 28 per cent of hay and pasture land was listed as being short, with another six per cent very short.

The province said high winds are drying up soil quickly, and the soil is slowly starting to warm up. Snow and ice are still visible on some sloughs and ditches in the North.

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For livestock producers, a low-yielding hay crop last year, coupled with the long winter and delayed spring, means many have had to find alternative feed sources until pasture lands green up.

In the South, spring runoff was below normal levels in many areas, and some livestock producers are scrambling to find enough water to last through the upcoming grazing season. Rainfall levels recorded in the southern and eastern regions over the last week ranged from trace amounts to 24 millimetres in the Big Beaver area.

The crop report said it’s too early to determine the survival of winter wheat, and conditions are being monitored.

During the busy planting season, producers were also reminded to be cautious and stay safe on the farm. SaskPower is reporting four cases where farm machinery has come into contact with electrical equipment already over this past week.

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt