Crop Report for the Period May 12 to 18, 2015

Released on May 21, 2015

Dry weather this past week allowed producers to make significant seeding progress across the province.

Sixty-four per cent of the 2015 crop is now seeded, according to the Saskatchewan Agriculture Crop Report.  The five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year is 24 per cent seeded.

Producers in the southwest are most advanced, with 86 per cent of the crop seeded.  In the southeast, 66 per cent is seeded; the west-central region has 72 per cent seeded; the east-central and northeastern regions have 42 per cent seeded; and northwestern region has 68 per cent seeded.

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 10 per cent surplus, 68 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and two per cent very short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as eight per cent surplus, 67 per cent adequate, 19 per cent short and six per cent very short.  Moisture conditions vary throughout the province.

Precipitation varied across the province, ranging from nil to 49 mm.  Cool, dry weather has delayed germination and crop development in many areas.  Frost was reported in many areas and producers are assessing damage at this time, while hoping for warm weather.

Some areas have reported wet conditions resulting in machinery getting stuck and some access roads being impassable.  Other areas are hoping for rain to recharge the top soil that is getting too dry.

Follow the 2015 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.

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For more information, contact:

Daphne Cruise
Agriculture
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-3587
Email: daphne.cruise@gov.sk.ca