A cool and late spring has delayed field work across the province. However, seeding has started in the southern areas. In most other areas, harrowing and pre-seeding herbicide and fertilizer applications are taking place. Many producers will be seeding within the week.
Field conditions vary greatly across the province. The southern regions are dry and the northern and eastern regions are dealing with high field moisture. Topsoil moisture on crop land is rated six per cent surplus, 64 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. Topsoil moisture on hay land and pasture is rated as three per cent surplus, 63 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and six per cent very short. High winds are drying up the soil quickly. The soil is slow to warm up and there is still snow and ice in some sloughs and ditches in the north.
Due to a low-yielding hay crop in 2017, an extended cold winter, and a slow start to spring, many livestock producers have turned to alternative feed sources and feed grains while they wait for the pastures to green up.
Spring runoff in the south was below normal in many areas, leaving some livestock producers looking at how to sustain water supplies throughout the upcoming grazing season.
Rainfall was recorded in the southern and eastern regions during the past week, ranging from trace amounts to 24 mm in the Big Beaver area.
Winter wheat survival is being monitored as it is too early to make an accurate assessment.
SaskPower reports four cases of farm machinery coming into contact with electrical equipment over the last week. The majority of farming-related incidents happen during seeding. SaskPower reminds producers to take an extra moment to check for overhead lines before beginning work. More safety information is available at www.saskpower.com/safety.
One Year Ago
May 1, 2017 – 1%
May 2, 2016 – 12%
May 4, 2015 – 14%
May 4, 2014 – 1%
May 6, 2013 – 1%
5 year avg. (2013-2017) – 6%
10 year avg. (2008-2017) – 4%
Crop District 8 – Hudson Bay, Tisdale, Melfort, Carrot River, Humboldt, Kinistino, Cudworth and Aberdeen areas;
Crop District 9AE – Prince Albert, Choiceland and Paddockwood areas
For the Period April 24 to 30, 2018
The recent warm and windy days have been welcomed. The region was covered with snow up until one week ago. Although seeding has not started yet, some producers will be seeding within the week.
Rainfall in the region ranged from nil to 15 mm (Bjorkdale). The Arborfield and Melfort areas received 10 mm and the Humboldt area 8 mm.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 24 per cent surplus, 72 per cent adequate and four per cent short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 17 per cent surplus, 77 per cent adequate and six per cent short. Pastures and hay land are slow to green up due to the cold weather.
Farmers are busy getting seeding equipment ready and calving.
Saskatchewan Agriculture Released on May 3, 2018
A complete, printable version of the Crop Report is available online at www.saskatchewan.ca/crop-report.
