Seeding is still behind schedule, but grain growers throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan are getting the crop into the ground as quickly as possible.
In Saskatchewan, the provincial agriculture ministry reports “great strides” were made in seeding progress in the past week, with 67 per cent of the 2013 crop now seeded, according to the province’s weekly crop report. The five-year (2008-12) average for this time of year is about 70 per cent seeded.
All regions of the province made significant headway this week: 67 per cent of the crop is seeded in the southeast; 85 per cent in the southwest; 51 per cent in the northeast; 69 per cent in the northwest; 60 per cent in the east-central area; and 65 per cent in the west-central area.
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Seeding was temporarily halted in some regions over the weekend as the majority of the province received rainfall. The Coronach and Humboldt areas received the most rainfall, with more than two inches.
Provincially, topsoil moisture on cropland is rated as 13 per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate and six per cent short. Farmers are busy seeding, controlling weeds and moving cattle to pasture, the ag ministry said.
A similar picture emerged to the east in Manitoba, where seeding operations continued across most of the province last week before the precipitation that fell during the last days of May.
Seeding progress by region varies from 80 per cent to 95 per cent complete, with some areas within the regions not as advanced due to heavier rainfall amounts.
Manitoba producers continue to modify their initial seeding plans to account for seeding date. Reseeding of terminated winter wheat fields also continues.
The earliest seeded crops have emerged, with in-crop herbicide applications underway on cereal and canola acres. Uniform emergence is noted for the most part. The cooler temperatures slowed plant development. Recent rainfall may impact crop emergence and plant stands, particularly in areas that received the higher amounts of precipitation.
Frost was also recorded in many areas of Manitoba over the weekend. To date, minimal damage to emerged crops has been seen. — AGCanada.com Network
