Farmers in the Lloydminster region were busy seeding their fields this past week as dry conditions made field work easier.
Seeding progress in the northwest region which includes Lloydminster jumped up to 38 per cent during the week of May 12 to 18. Overall in the province, half of all crop fields have now been planted as seeding progress nearly doubled. It is now on track with the five-year average of 51 per cent for this year.
Eighty-two per cent of field peas, 78 per cent of lentils, 71 per cent of durum, 69 per cent of chickpeas, 51 per cent of spring wheat, 42 per cent of barley and 38 per cent of canola have been seeded to date.
The province says there was little to no precipitation in all regions with the highest amount of 15 mm falling in the Mayfair region near North Battleford. The crop report says limited precipitation and windy conditions have slightly reduced topsoil moisture conditions.
Cropland topsoil moisture rated as two per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 67 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and six per cent very short.
Farmers will continue seeding, spraying, branding cattle and moving livestock out to pasture.