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Seeding gets underway in southeast Saskatchewan

Some producers in southeast Saskatchewan have been able to start seeding, with about 10 per cent of the crop now in the ground. Farmers in some parts of the southeast are waiting for their land to dry up before they can start seeding.
Seeding

Some producers in southeast Saskatchewan have been able to start seeding, with about 10 per cent of the crop now in the ground.

Farmers in some parts of the southeast are waiting for their land to dry up before they can start seeding.

In both crop district 2A, which is the Weyburn region, and district 3ASE (Radville-Lake Alma-Minton area) about 15 per cent of the crop was seeded as of May 4.

Provincially, about seven per cent of the 2020 crop has been seeded. A year ago, there was about 13 per cent of the crop seeded by this date.

In the southeast as a whole, 24 per cent of the field peas, 14 per cent of the lentils, 10 per cent of the durum, nine per cent of the barley, eight per cent of the oats and six per cent of the spring wheat has been seeded so far.

There have been scattered rain showers throughout the region, with some farmers reporting hail and snow flurries.

The RM of Weyburn area had 10 mm of rain, Brokenshell recorded 22 mm, Wellington had 16 mm of rain, the RM of Francis had amounts ranging from 11 mm to 28.5 mm, and the RM of Laurier had a range from 8.6 to 11 mm of rain.

Rain showers and cool weather throughout the week have slowed down field work in some parts of the region. Grass is greening up in some areas, and spring winter wheat assessments continue.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 15 per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate, nine per cent short and one per cent very short.

Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 74 per cent adequate, 19 per cent short and three per cent very short.

Farmers have been busy applying herbicides, combining the remaining 2019 crop and getting ready or starting to seed in some areas.