Saskatchewan producers now have 81 per cent of the 2017 crop in the ground, right in line with the five-year (2012-2016) seeding average for this time of year of 82 per cent.  Wet field conditions and frequent rainfall in many northern areas have delayed progress, and producers there will need a couple more weeks of warm and dry weather.
 
"That is up from 60 percent last week," noted Shannon Friesen, a Cropping Management Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture.
 
Seeding is most advanced in the southeast, where producers have 95 per cent of the crop in the ground.  Ninety-four per cent is seeded in the southwest; 80 per cent in the west-central region; 79 per cent in the east-central region; 76 per cent in the northwest and 43 per cent in the northeast.
 
Ninety-six per cent of lentils, 95 per cent of field peas, 92 per cent of durum, 91 per cent of soybeans, 81 per cent of spring wheat, 80 per cent of flax, 78 per cent of mustard, 76 per cent of canola and 73 per cent of barley have now been seeded.
 
"We have a wide variety of crops that have made it into the ground. For the most part, pulse acres are ramping up, as well as the cereals," Friesen said, stating that a little bit of everything has yet to be seeded, but the majority is in.
 
A slow-moving weather system brought significant rainfall to many areas in the north last week, but missed most of the central and southern parts of the province.  The Nipawin area received 65 mm of rain, while many parts of central and southern Saskatchewan received nothing.  Fields in the north remain very wet, while many fields in other parts of the province are in need of rain to help crops germinate and emerge.
 
Friesen said that the moisture has had a negative effect on producers in the northern half of the province.
 
"It has delayed seeding, and they still had quite a bit of harvest left out there. Of course the fields are too wet in get equipment in, so they haven't even been able to work their land or spray anything."
 
"In the south, we currently have a lack of moisture, and we could use a rain fairly soon in order to ensure that our crops are germinating and emerging on time. If we don't get anything soon, a lot of crop may sit in the ground or sprout up very patchy," she added.
 
Provincially, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 11 per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and two per cent very short.  Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 70 per cent adequate, 23 per cent short and two per cent very short.
 
Overall, emerged crops are in fair-to-excellent condition, but emergence has been delayed in many areas by the cool weather and dry field conditions.  The majority of crop damage this week was caused by strong winds, frost, hail, localized flooding and lack of moisture.  Flea beetles and cutworms have been reported in canola crops, and some fields have had to be re-seeded.
 
Frieson shared that they are hoping that spraying will get underway on a larger scale within the next week.
 
"Windy days aren't very ideal for us to be out there doing that, so we are hoping that more typical June weather arrives very soon."
 
Producers are busy seeding, controlling weeds and picking rocks.
 
"It's never quiet on a farm. Producers are also trying to spray their in-crop herbicide applications. Livestock producers are wrapping up branding, moving cattle and fixing fences. Farmers are getting equipment ready for spray season. A little bit of everything is happening on the farm right now," Friesen explained.
 
That said, safety has been somewhat of an issue during the month of May. SaskPower reports that there have been 91 incidents of farm equipment coming in contact with power poles or lines in May, including 15 incidents between May 22 and 27 alone.  Weekly and monthly totals are adjusted on an ongoing basis, as some incidents are not reported to SaskPower immediately after they occur.  Producers are urged to be especially careful when using equipment around power lines.  Safety information is available at www.saskpower.com/safety. 
 
"SaskPower is also willing to help to help you out, so that if you need any lines moved you can contact them and certainly work with them on that as well."
 
Frieson pointed out that the higher than normal number of incidents can be attributed primarily to the rushed season.
 
Overall, she noted that everything has progressed quite well.
 
"Of course the south has been well into the fields for a number of weeks, so now we just need some rain to help things out."
 
"We are right on schedule. The emergence is a bit delayed, however, all it takes is a little bit of heat and moisture and things will pick up," Friesen concluded.