Glacier FarmMedia—Seeding has already started in parts of Saskatchewan, while many areas are still waiting on more moisture, according to the province’s pulse specialist.
Dale Risula said most of Saskatchewan is on the drier side, although not every area is struggling with a lack of moisture. He added that most parts of the province are set to start seeding in the coming weeks, if they haven’t already.
“We’ll probably need some moisture over the next few weeks once seeding is underway to get things going and to sustain the growth that comes from germination and emergence,” he said. “Right now, it’s just a little on the dry side.”
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Risula said planting season in Saskatchewan typically begins in the southwest corner of the province with areas north and east soon to follow. He added that peas and chickpeas are usually some of the first crops in the ground due to their ability to withstand early spring frosts.
Statistics Canada (StatCan) expects lentil acres in Saskatchewan to increase by 5.5 per cent from last year at 3.376 million, while dry pea acres would gain 2.4 per cent at 1.634 million and those for chickpeas would rise 32.4 per cent at 360,300, the most since 2018. Risula believes lentil acres will go up, but seeded area for chickpeas will be steady to higher and those for dry peas will be lower.
However, precipitation is still needed to ensure typical yields this growing season.
“In areas where there may be enough moisture to see germination and emergence take place, it’s going to need more in order to sustain that growth. Other areas are going to be so dry, they may need some moisture to get them going,” he said.
—Adam Peleshaty reports for MarketsFarm from Stonewall, Man.
