Seeding operations are almost complete as 94 per cent of the crop is now in the ground, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report.  This is slightly ahead of the five-year (2012-2016) seeding average of year of 93 per cent.  While most producers in the province have wrapped up seeding, those in parts of the northern regions will need more time.

"Most of that progress came from the northern part of the province. Producers have been lucky enough to have some warm and windy weather up there to dry some of the moisture up," stated Shannon Friesen, a Cropping Management Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture.

With 98 per cent of the crop in the ground, seeding is essentially complete in the southeastern and southwestern regions.  Ninety-six per cent is seeded in the east-central region; 95 per cent in the west-central region; 88 per cent in the northwest and 84 per cent in the northeast.

"What's left may or may not be seeded, all depending on if there is enough moisture or someone cross-mingles with a green feed later on."

Scattered rain showers throughout the week brought varying amounts of rain to the province.  Most areas received trace-to-small amounts of rain, although some areas received larger amounts.  A significant rain is needed in much of the province to help crops germinate and emerge and to replenish topsoil moisture.

"Even what we got last week seems to have disappeared quite quickly. Having very strong winds for weeks now has really dried up the topsoil, so crops aren't emerging as nicely as we would have hoped," said Friesen.

Topsoil moisture conditions are deteriorating in many southern parts of the province.  Persistent strong winds and lack of moisture are drying up fields and delaying crop maturity.  There are concerns in areas of the southeast that crop and hay yields will be affected if rain is not received soon.  Provincially, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 65 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and four per cent very short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 53 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and 10 per cent very short.

"If we do get some rain, with this heat crops can make a huge jump overnight. However, for the most part things are just really starting to emerge.

Crop development has been delayed in much of the province and most crops are behind their normal developmental stages for this time of year.  The majority of crop damage this past week was caused by strong winds, lack of moisture, frost and insects such as flea beetles and cutworms.

"Our spraying window has been very limited over the last couple of weeks. Conditions have not been ideal. Many producers have been getting up early to get some done before the wind picks up," she added, noting that herbicide application could be pushed back another week or so.

"In the south, we are just really hoping for some rain. We're crossing our fingers that producers in the region get some."