ASSINIBOIA — Eight per cent of the crop is now seeded, which is on par with the five-year average (2017-2021) of eight per cent for this time of year. Eleven per cent of the durum, nine per cent of the field peas, seven per cent of the lentils, six percent of the barley and five per cent of the spring wheat have been seeded to date.
The Cabri areas received the most reported rainfall with 7.6 mm followed by the Rockglen and Webb areas with five mm, the Hazenmore area received two mm. These small amounts of rain will not drastically change the topsoil moisture conditions in the region.
Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as zero per cent surplus, 37 per cent adequate, 27 per
cent short and 36 per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as zero per cent surplus, 31 per cent adequate, 34 per cent short and 35 per cent very short. Many reporters in the region have commented how rain is needed across the region to improve the on-farm water supply. Runoff is rated as 23 per cent normal and 77 per cent below normal, few dugouts, sloughs and other water bodies have been filled to acceptable levels.
Dry conditions are limiting pasture growth, putting pressure on livestock producers struggling with their winter feed supplies running low. Pastureland conditions are rated as eight per cent good, 18 per cent fair, 39 per cent poor and 35 per cent very poor. Even with slow pasture growth some producers have no choice but to move their cattle to pastures since they are running so low on feed.
Producers are seeding, spraying and picking rocks in some areas while cattleman are busy wrapping up calving and repairing fencing before cattle are moved. Winterkill on fall seeded cereals is reported to be 16 per cent of winter wheat and 16 per cent of fall rye, this is largely due to the poor snowfall allowing very little protection from the cold winter weather.
Provincial overview: seeding delayed
Cool temperatures and early spring snowstorms have delayed seeding for many producers across Saskatchewan. Currently, one per cent of the 2022 crop is now in the ground, well behind the five-year average (2017-2021) of five per cent. Once conditions are favourable, producers will be working very hard to get their fields seeded.
Very little precipitation was reported in the past week, which will allow fields to dry up enough for seeding to begin in regions where it was previously too wet. The most rain was reported in the Marengo area with 10 mm followed by the Marquis, Rockglen and Webb areas reporting five mm of rain. Although beneficial for pastures and hay land, farmers are hoping the rain will hold off until seeding can be completed.
Topsoil moisture for cropland, hay and pastureland is still less than ideal for proper seed germination and pasture growth. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 55 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and 14 per cent very short. Hay and pastureland are rated as two per cent surplus, 52 per cent adequate, 29 per cent short and 17 per cent very short.
Spring runoff for the province has slightly improved compared to the runoff seen in 2021 and this has allowed dugouts, sloughs and other small water bodies to fill throughout many areas. Runoff was rated as five per cent above normal, 44 per cent average and 51 per cent below normal. This replenishment of water in dugouts is extremely important for livestock producers who have struggled with finding good quality water for their animals. Going into the warm summer months, timely rains will be needed to keep water quality and quantity at acceptable levels.
Livestock producers have also struggled to ration their available feed supplies through the winter until pastures are able to sustain grazing. Forage feed supplies are rated as 35 per cent adequate and 65 per cent inadequate, while feed grain supplies are rated as 55 per cent adequate and 45 per cent inadequate. Producers will need a good hay crop this year to replenish their feed supplies and ensure they have more than enough to feed their livestock next winter.
Pasture conditions across the province did not fare well throughout the drought of 2021 and they did not have the rain they needed in the fall for adequate regrowth before winter arrived, which has resulted in less than desirable pasture conditions to start the year. Pasture lands are rated as zero per cent excellent, 12 per cent good, 22 per cent fair, 37 per cent poor and 29 per cent very poor. Warm days with minimal wind are needed along with good rains to improve conditions and allow enough forage growth to support cattle throughout the summer.
There have been reports of winterkill on winter wheat, fall rye and other fall seeded crops; producers are busy assessing the damage and determining whether to reseed. The hardest-hit areas are in the southwest where snow cover was not adequate enough to protect the crop. Producers who are not able to seed are waiting for their fields to dry and preparing their equipment while others who can be in the field are spreading fertilizer and applying herbicides.
