By farmnewsNOW Staff

Recent warm weather allows seeding to progress

May 10, 2018 | 2:00 PM

Seeding has progressed across the province, albeit a bit slowly due to wet fields.
 
According to this week’s crop report from the Ministry of Agriculture, roughly nine per cent of the 2018 crop is now in the ground. This is well behind the five-year average of 19 per cent for this time of year. Farmers in the southwest corner are the furthest ahead at 18 per cent.  
 
Strong and warm winds have dried fields throughout the province, allowing producers in the northeast and northwest regions a chance to get out into the field. Three per cent of this year’s crop has now been seeded in these regions.

The five-year averages are eight per cent for the Prince Albert area and 12 per cent for the North Battleford area.
 
There was little to no rainfall reported last week in the northeast region, although the Arborfield and Vonda areas reported one millimetre and the Prince Albert, Garrick areas reported two millimetres. The Nipawin area received the most precipitation (27 mm) in the region since April 1. Conditions were also quite dry for areas west of Prince Albert. The Hafford and North Battleford areas reported two millimetres.
 
Provincially, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as three per cent surplus, 67 per cent adequate, 25 per cent short and five per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 55 per cent adequate, 31 per cent short and 12 per cent very short.
 
Moving forward, producers will need rain in the coming weeks to help crops germinate and establish. 
 
 
 
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