The latest provincial crop report indicates seeding is basically done in Saskatchewan as progress is marked at 99 per cent complete.
A map of seeding progress province-wide shows an area from Hudson Bay down to Yorkton is between 85 and 95 per cent complete, with pockets at less than 80 per cent complete. The east-central region as a whole is at 96 per cent complete while other regions are at 99 or 100 per cent.
However, three per cent of acres of the province went unseeded due to excessive moisture.
"Similarly, three per cent of forage crops have excess moisture and are unlikely to produce a crop while two per cent of pastureland is not accessible or is unusable," states the report. "In areas experiencing reduced moisture, two per cent of the seeded acreage this spring in the province is affected. Five per cent of the forage crops may have yields significantly impacted, while five per cent of pastures may have reduced carrying capacity."
Rainfall this past week delayed fieldwork, such as herbicide spraying, haying, and scouting for crop disease and pests.
The Foam Lake area recorded the most rain at 110 millimetres, while both the Elfros and Lacadena areas had 68 millimetres. Most areas had between 20 millimetres and 50 mm or more.
Excessive moisture is the primary factor of crop damage reported this past week, causing "minor to moderate damage in most regions, with a few localized areas reporting severe impacts", according to the report.
"In addition, moderate to severe damage from gophers and strong winds has been noted. Hail caused minor to moderate damage in some isolated areas. Flea beetles continue to persist, with moderate levels of damage reported, while minor damage from cutworms has also been observed."
While most crops are at their normal stage of development, a portion of crops are behind development for this time of year because of the cool and cloudy conditions. Below is a breakdown.
• One per cent of fall cereals are reported as ahead, 85 per cent as normal and 14 per cent behind.
• One per cent of spring cereals are reported as ahead, 65 per cent as normal and 34 per cent behind.
• One per cent of oilseeds are reported as ahead, 54 per cent as normal and 45 per cent behind.
• One per cent of pulse crops are reported as ahead, 77 per cent as normal and 22 per cent behind.
• One per cent of perennial forage are reported as ahead, 80 per cent as normal and 19 per cent behind.
• 74 per cent of annual forages are reported as normal and 26 per cent behind.
Topsoil moisture levels for crop, hay, and pasture lands remain very adequate around the province:
Cropland:
• 20 per cent surplus;
• 77 per cent adequate; and
• Three per cent short.
Hayland:
• 15 per cent surplus;
• 77 per cent adequate;
• Seven per cent short; and
• One per cent very short.
Pasture:
• 12 per cent surplus;
• 78 per cent adequate; and
• 10 per cent short.
The rain has also helped with water supplies for livestock producers as the report indicates the majority, 87 per cent, are expected to remain adequate for the foreseeable future. Four per cent of livestock water sources are rated as moderately short and nine per cent expect to be short over the next two months.
Producers are hoping for better weather to support crop development and continue spraying operations.
The crop report also had information for grain farmers related to Crop Insurance. Farmers with a Crop Insurance contract and areas unseeded as of June 20 due to excessive moisture may be eligible for an Unseeded Acreage claim. There are several dates to remember as well:
• June 25: The deadline to submit an Unseeded Acreage claim.
• June 26-July 2: Submitted Unseeded Acreage claims incur a 25 per cent penalty (up to $1,000).
• July 3 or later: No longer eligible to submit Unseeded Acreage claims.
• Acres seeded to an uninsured crop after June 20 do not affect Unseeded Acreage claims.
• No liability is accepted for crops seeded after June 20. Greenfeed is an exception, with a seeding deadline of June 30.
• Acres seeded between June 20 to June 30 to an insured greenfeed crop are insured as greenfeed and are not eligible for an Unseeded Acreage claim.
More information can be found on Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation's website. If you have questions, call SCIC at 1-888-935-0000.
The Ministry of Agriculture notes the next provincial report will be released on Friday, July 3 due to the Canada Day statutory holiday.
