Crop Report for the Period May 19 to 25, 2015

Released on May 28, 2015

Producers now have 87 per cent of the crop seeded, well ahead of the five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year (61 per cent), according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report.  Dry weather has allowed many producers to finish seeding while others will need another week or more.

The southwestern and west-central regions are nearing completion with 93 per cent of the crop in the ground.  The northwestern region has 89 per cent seeded; the southeastern has 87 per cent seeded; the east-central region has 83 per cent seeded; and the northeastern region has 75 per cent seeded.

Little to no rain was received this week, with some areas in the northeastern region reporting 2 mm.  Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as four per cent surplus, 58 per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and eight per cent very short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 49 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and 12 per cent very short.  Rain is needed in much of the province to help with crop emergence and to recharge the topsoil that is getting dry in some areas.

The majority of emerged crops are either at or are behind their normal developmental stages for this time of year.  They are in relatively good condition with most crop damage being caused by flea beetles, cutworms and lack of moisture.  Despite heavy frost in many areas early last week, most crops were not damaged; however, there has been some re-seeding of oilseed crops.

Pasture conditions are rated as four per cent excellent, 44 per cent good, 32 per cent fair, 14 per cent poor and six per cent very poor.

Farmers are busy finishing seeding operations, controlling weeds and moving cattle.

Follow the 2015 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.

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For more information, contact:

Shannon Friesen
Agriculture
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-3592
Email: shannon.friesen@gov.sk.ca