Crop District 5 – Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas;
Crop District 6A – Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas
For the Period May 7 to May 13, 2019
Seeding operations are well underway in the region. Thirty-one per cent of the crop is in the ground, up from seven per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year (2014-2018) average of 18 per cent for this time of year. Due to the dry spring field conditions, some producers are able to seed areas in fields that have been unworkable in the last few years.
The majority of the region did not receive much rain last week, although the Goodeve, Ituna and Earl Grey areas reported 12 mm and the Esterhazy, Langenburg, Raymore, Rama, Elfros, Allan and Bethune areas 3 mm. The Esterhazy area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (35 mm).
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 44 per cent adequate, 43 per cent short and 13 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 32 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 27 per cent very short. While producers have indicated that moisture is adequate for seeding, rain will be needed in the coming weeks to help with crop establishment.
Pastures are slow to green up in many areas due to the cool weather; however, the forecast favourable conditions will help growth. Producers have indicated that cold temperatures are making pre-seeding weed control difficult as there is little weed growth.
Farmers are busy seeding, working fields, fixing fences and moving cattle.
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Crop District
|
% Seeded
(May 13, 2019)
|
|
5A
|
33
|
|
5B
|
28
|
|
6A
|
32
|
|
Region average
|
31
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