Seeding is as close to complete as it gets, as 98 per cent of the 2024 crop is now in the ground, according to the provincial crop report for the period of June 4 to 10.
Rain continued to delay producers in the northeast and east-central regions from continuing seeding operations with a few reporting excess water in low-lying areas, so some acres won’t be seeded as a result. The northeast region had the most rainfall with the Lake Lenore recording 81 mm, Arbourfield area 78 mm, and the Duck Lake area had 76 mm.
Some areas reported increased crop damage due to the additional rainfall, along with gusty winds. Otherwise, crop damage from wind, excessive moisture, and frost in other areas was reported as minor. Flea beetles, grasshoppers, and gophers continue to be a factor in other parts of the province, with some areas reporting minor to moderate damage.
Topsoil moisture conditions continue to be good with cropland moisture rated as eight per cent surplus, 90 per cent adequate and two per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at five per cent surplus, 89 per cent adequate and six per cent short. Pasture topsoil moisture is five per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate and eight per cent short.
The cooler temperatures and rain has crops such as spring wheat and oilseeds fall behind normal development for this time of year, while others are on schedule. Overall, the majority of crops are in good condition and a few in excellent condition.
Among cereal crops, winter wheat is reported at 69 per cent good and 18 per cent excellent. Fall rye is 73 per cent good and 14 per cent excellent. Spring wheat is 64 per cent good and 23 per cent excellent. Durum is 66 per cent good and 27 per cent excellent. Oats are rated as 68 per cent good and 19 per cent excellent. Barley is 66 per cent good and 21 per cent excellent. Triticale is 83 per cent good and 13 per cent excellent. Canary seed is rated at 65 per cent good and 24 per cent excellent.
For oilseeds, soybeans are 73 per cent good and 10 per cent excellent. Mustard is 71 per cent good and 17 per cent excellent. Canola shows to have a wider range of reported crop condition with 16 per cent excellent, 62 per cent good and 19 per cent rated as fair. Flax is rated as 68 per cent good and 23 per cent excellent.
Provincially, pulse crops such as field peas are rated as 67 per cent good and 24 per cent excellent. Lentils are 69 per cent good and 21 per cent excellent. Chickpeas are 84 per cent good and 11 per cent excellent.
As producers wrap up seeding, they’re also applying in-crop herbicide and rock picking when weather permits. Crops will continue to be monitored for insects and environmental damage. As cattle are moved out to pasture, producers will monitor and fix fence where required.
A breakdown by growing region is below:
Southeast
Most producers have wrapped up seeding within the region apart from a few acres that are being seeded to greenfeed as conditions allow. Overall, producers are reporting good growing conditions with pasture and hayland looking promising within the region. Producers will be applying in-crop applications when weather permits and continuing to monitor crops over the coming week. Rain fell throughout most of the region over the past week with a few scattered showers at the beginning of the week followed by more general rain as the reporting week ended. The areas to report the highest amounts included the Craven area at 47 mm followed by the Bethune and Indian Head areas at 45 mm. The Avonlea area received 26 mm and the Moosomin area received 20 mm. The Carnduff area reported 24 mm for the past week.
Topsoil moisture continues to increase in the region this week. Cropland topsoil moisture is six per cent surplus, 90 per cent adequate and four per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 86 per cent adequate, 10 per cent short and one per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture is three per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and one per cent very short.
Overall, crops within the region are falling into the normal stages of development for this time of year. An increase in the per cent that are falling behind in development is due to the cooler temperatures, high winds and delays to seeding progress due to rainfall.
Producers report good growing conditions within the region with many crops reported in excellent to good condition. A full summary of individual crop conditions for the region can be viewed in the attached crop conditions table.
Minor crop damage was reported in the region due to excessive moisture, frost and hail.
Elevated crop damage due to flea beetles, gophers and wind were reported within the region over the past week. Producers will continue to monitor grasshopper pressure as the season continues but some minor crop damage has been reported in some areas.
Southwest
As seeding wraps up in the region, producers are busy continuing to monitor their crops and are beginning spray operations when weather permits. Producers report that the pasture and hayland is looking good within the region.
Rain was widespread throughout the region this week with the highest amount recorded in the Moose Jaw area at 34 mm. The Swift Current area received 27 mm, the Hazenmore area received 25 mm and the Shaunavon area received 16 mm.
The continued rainfall is replenishing soil moisture within the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is three per cent surplus, 95 per cent adequate and two per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 90 per cent adequate and seven per cent short. Pasture topsoil moisture is six per cent surplus, 84 per cent adequate, nine per cent short and one per cent very short.
Crops within the region are falling mainly into the normal stages of development for this time of year. An increase in the per cent that are falling behind in development is due to the cooler temperatures, high winds and delays to seeding progress due to rainfall.
Many crops within the region are reported in excellent to good condition given the timely rainfalls over the past few weeks. A full summary of individual crop conditions for the region can be viewed in the attached crop conditions table.
Excessive moisture, frost and hail caused minor crop damage over the past week. Some root rot has been observed in pulse fields within the region. Moderate crop damage was reported due to wind, flea beetles, grasshoppers and gophers with some producers needing to re-seed canola due to the resulting crop damage. Producers will continue to monitor their fields and will be taking control measures in many areas over the upcoming weeks.
East-Central
Seeding was able to advance within the region despite rain delays over the past week. The east-central region overall is reporting 97 per cent seeding completion. Within the region, census division 9 is reporting 93 per cent seeding completion, census division 10 is reporting 97 per cent and census division 11 is reporting 99 per cent completion.
Rain was widespread throughout the region the past week with a few areas reporting increased amounts. The Foam Lake area reported the highest amount at 61 mm. The Goodeve area reported 45 mm, the Wadena area recorded 44 mm and the Hanley area reported 41 mm.
Topsoil moisture continues to improve in the region this week. Cropland topsoil moisture is nine per cent surplus, 88 per cent adequate and three per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is rated as eight per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate and eleven per cent short. Pasture topsoil moisture is eight per cent surplus, 79 per cent adequate and 13 per cent short.
Although the majority of crops fall within the normal stages of development for this time of year, excessive moisture, cooler temperatures and windy conditions have slowed development. Oilseed crops are reported to be the furthest behind at 37 per cent.
Producers report good hay and pasture development within the region. The majority of crops are reported to be in good condition. Oilseed crops, along with triticale, canary seed and chickpeas are showing reductions to fair crop conditions over other crops within the region. A full summary of individual crop conditions for the region can be viewed in the attached crop conditions table.
Minor crop damage was reported in the region due to frost and grasshoppers. Moderate damage was reported due to wind, excessive moisture, cutworms and flea beetles. The damage has reached a stage that some producers are beginning to take flea beetle control measures. Producers noted that the excessive moisture caused crop flooding and caused some issues with canola emergence. There are concerns for root rot development within the region as well.
West-Central
Most producers have wrapped up seeding within the region. Overall, producers are reporting good growing conditions. Pastures are developing well, and producers are optimistic about potential hay crops within the region. Producers will be applying in-crop applications when weather permits and continuing to monitor crops over the coming week.
Rainfall was variable throughout the region with the east side of the region receiving higher amounts of rain over the past week. The highest rainfall recorded was in the Sonningdale area at 49 mm followed by the Perdue area at 40 mm. The Rosetown area received 29 mm, the Wilkie area received 26 mm and the Kindersley area received eight mm over the past week.
Topsoil moisture slightly increased in the region this week. Cropland topsoil moisture is one per cent surplus, 96 per cent adequate and three per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is rated as 95 per cent adequate and five per cent short. Pasture topsoil moisture is 94 per cent adequate and six per cent short.
The majority of crops fall within the normal stages of development for this time of year, but excessive moisture and cooler temperatures have caused an increased number to fall behind in development. Oilseed crops are reported to be the furthest behind at 32 per cent.
Many crops within the region are reported in excellent to good condition given the timely rainfalls over the past few weeks. A full summary of individual crop conditions for the region can be viewed in the attached crop conditions table.
Producers reported minor crop damage due to excessive moisture but noted that some flooding did occur in low lying areas within the region. Increased crop damage was reported due to frost and wind, but it is anticipated that most crops will recover. Producers will continue to monitor flea beetle and grasshopper pressure; at this point moderate crop damage has been reported and some control measures are being taken.
Northeast
Despite continued rain interruptions, seeding was able to advance within the region over the past week. The northeast region overall is reporting 95 per cent seeding completion. Census division 14 is reporting 96 per cent seeding completion and census division 15 is reporting 95 per cent completion. The current moisture status within the region is posing challenges to seeding completion with a few producers noting that unless the weather changes, they are unlikely to finish seeding some acres this year.
Rain fell throughout the region with many areas reporting heavy amounts. The highest amount recorded was in the Lake Lenore area at 81 mm. This was followed by the Arborfield area at 78 mm and the Duck Lake area at 76 mm. The lowest rainfall recorded for the past week fell in the Rosthern area which reported 18 mm.
Topsoil moisture continues to increase with many areas reporting surplus moisture conditions. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated at 23 per cent surplus and 77 per cent adequate. Hayland topsoil moisture is rated as 13 per cent surplus and 87 per cent adequate. Pasture topsoil moisture is 15 per cent surplus and 85 per cent adequate.
Although the majority of crops fall within the normal stages of development for this time of year, many are not advancing at the expected rate. This is due to excessive moisture, cooler temperatures and delays to seeding progress from rainfall. Fall cereals and oilseed crops are the furthest behind at 56 per cent and 41 per cent respectively.
The majority of crops are reported to be in good condition within the region, but many areas are beginning to report fair crop conditions due to stress from excessive moisture. A full summary of individual crop conditions for the region can be viewed in the attached crop conditions table.
Minor crop damage was reported in the region due to frost and wind over the past week. Moderate crop damage occurred due to flea beetles along with excessive moisture conditions. Producers report drowned out areas within fields along with large areas of standing water that are causing stress to developing crops. Given the excessive moisture conditions, there are also concerns for root rot and leaf disease development within the region as well.
Northwest
Most producers have wrapped up seeding within the region, but excessive moisture is posing challenges to seeding completion in the region’s more northern areas. A few producers note that it is likely some acres will not be seeded due to the excessive moisture currently in the fields.
Rain fell throughout the region over the past week with heavy rainfall amounts recorded in the northern areas of the region. The highest amount recorded was in the Hafford area at 60 mm followed by the Meadow Lake area at 55 mm. The North Battleford area received 45 mm and the Prince Albert area received 39 mm.
Topsoil moisture continues to increase within the region this week. Cropland topsoil moisture is six per cent surplus and 94 per cent adequate. Hayland topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 96 per cent adequate and one per cent short. Pasture topsoil moisture is one per cent surplus, 97 per cent adequate and two per cent short.
Most crops fall within the normal stages of development for this time of year, but many are starting to fall behind in development. This is due to excessive moisture, cooler temperatures and delays to seeding progress from rainfall. Oilseed crops and annual forages are the furthest behind at 40 per cent and 37 per cent respectively.
Producers report many crops are in excellent to good condition throughout the region. Canola in some areas within the region is falling slightly behind the reported good conditions for the other crops. A full summary of individual crop conditions for the region can be viewed in the attached crop conditions table.
Minor crop damage was reported in the region due to frost, wind and cutworms over the past week. Moderate crop damage occurred due to flea beetles with some producers taking control measures. Excessive moisture is also causing crop damage due to flooded and drowned out areas within fields and is raising concerns for root rot and leaf disease development within the region.