Seeding has essentially wrapped up in the province, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report.  Producers have 99 per cent of the crop in the ground, ahead of the five-year (2012-2016) seeding average of 97 per cent for this time of year.  The northwest region is the furthest behind with 97 per cent seeded.  Across the province, there are still a few fields of oats and barley, as well as some greenfeed and silage, left to be seeded.

"Most of the progress, of course, comes from from the bulk of the province. With the excess moisture and heavy rainfall that the north has received over the last couple of weeks, some acres may actually remain unseeded," shared Shannon Friesen, a Cropping Management Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture.

The much-needed rainfall received this week will help replenish topsoil moisture and allow crops to advance.  While much of the north has surplus topsoil moisture at this time, many areas in the south were relieved to see rain as crops, hay land and pastures were in need of significant moisture.

Prior to the recent rainfall, topsoil moisture conditions were deteriorating in southern and central areas of the province. Provincially, cropland topsoil moisture is currently rated as seven per cent surplus, 52 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and six per cent very short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 43 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 12 per cent very short.

"Many producers were concerned that the crops were not emerging, the hay-stands were actually quite small, and that our yield might have been compromised. Luckily, however, the rain has helped us out," Friesen said.

Overall crop development has improved with the warm and wet weather.  Sixty per cent of fall cereals, 62 per cent of spring cereals, 53 of oilseeds and 70 per cent of pulse crops are at their normal stages of development for this time of year.  The majority of crops are in fair-to-excellent condition.

"We are still a little bit behind, depending on where you are in the province. However, with this rain and hopefully some heat in the forecast, crops should be advancing quite quickly," she noted.

Persistent wind has damaged crops and delayed in-crop weed control operations in many areas.  Cutworms, flea beetles, localized flooding, hail and lack of moisture have also caused damage this past week.

"Damage (from the insects) has lessened over the last week or so, so that is good news. We heard of some parts of the north that actually did dwell below zero last week, so we may see some frost damage from that," Friesen stated, adding that they have also had reports of gophers and alfalfa weevil.

She also made note of the fact that weather conditions have helped some of the pest related issues along.

"Hopefully with the heat and moisture crops should quickly outgrow a lot of that damage."

Producers are busy completing seeding, controlling weeds and getting ready for haying.

"We're just very glad that we got that rain this week. It really did some miracles for us, so hopefully it continues when needed for the year," Friesen concluded.