The northwest region of Saskatchewan including Lloydminster and area is 93 per cent seeded which is ahead of the five-year average, according to provincial ag numbers.
This as the overall figure shows Saskatchewan has 76 per cent of the crop acres seeded, but still well behind the five-year average (2017-2021) of 93 per cent for the week ending May 30th, say officials.
The northwest’s crop district 9b which includes Lloydminster, Maidstone, Meadow Lake, Turtleford and Pierceland had little rain allowing producers to get the seeders out in the field. Some producers in the region need rain as their fields are very dry while others report they currently have adequate moisture for germination and pasture growth.
Spiritwood got the most rain with 22 mm, Turtleford got 20 mm, Meadow Lake eight
mm and the Lloydminster and Barthel areas four mm. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated
as one per cent surplus, 63 per cent adequate, 31 per cent short and five per cent very
short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as one per cent surplus, 52 per cent
adequate, 32 per cent short and 15 per cent very short.
In the region, peas and lentil acres have been completed. Ninety-nine per cent of spring
wheat, 92 per cent of flax, 91 per cent of canola, 87 per cent of barley, and 83 per cent of
oats have been seeded.
Most crops are in good condition to fair condition in crop district 9b. Cereals have been
reported to be coming up nicely in many municipalities. The crop damage being reported was due to wind, flea beetles and light frosts.
Producers are busy seeding green feed, spraying when possible, moving cattle to pasture and assessing pest populations, according to ag officials.