Crop report: Wet weather a boon for pasture conditions, but delays crop development

After a slow start to the season, producers say seeding is almost done, with 98 per cent of the 2024 crop in the ground.

Published Jun 13, 2024 • 2 minute read

Saskatchewan wheat farmer Chris Sapieha seeds his 2,000 acres of land. He is a fourth generation farmer, working on the same land as his mother, grandfather and great grandfather near Aberdeen, Sask. Photo taken on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Michelle Berg / Saskatoon StarPhoenix)

Another rainy week throughout the province has been a mixed blessing for Saskatchewan farmers.

After a slow start to the season, producers say seeding is almost done, with 98 per cent of the 2024 crop in the ground.

But rain “continued to hinder seeding operations” this week, according to the provincial government’s latest crop report, particularly in the northeast and east-central regions of the province.

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The Lake Lenore area had 81 mm of rain over the course of the week, while the Arborfield and Duck Lake areas measured well over 70 mm of rain each.

“Some producers have indicated their acres may not be able to be seeded this year due to excess moisture in some areas,” the crop report said.

“Regions that have received increased precipitation have noted that the heavy rainfall has caused water to collect in lower lying areas with crop flooding occurring.”

Saskatchewan’s rainiest and driest regions, April 1-June 10, 2024

While many crops across the province are within their normal stages of development for this time of year, the crop report also noted “there has been a week over week increase to the percentage of crops … behind the normal stages of development, due to cooler temperatures experienced and delays due to seeding from rainfall.”

In particular, about a third of this year’s oilseed crops and a quarter of spring cereals are reported to be behind schedule.

Crop development: June 10, 2024

Despite these challenges, on farms across Saskatchewan, producers say the rainy weather has been a help as well as a hindrance.

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Topsoil moisture conditions have continued to increase: Only two per cent of cropland topsoil, six per cent of hayland topsoil and eight per cent of pasture topsoil are short on moisture, and none are very short.

“Many producers indicate that pasture conditions have shown great improvement throughout the province given the moisture received,” the report said. “The majority of crops across the province are reported in good to excellent condition given the moisture received. This has provided a great start for crops as compared to previous years.”

Crop conditions: June 10, 2024

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