By Alice McFarlane

High level of optimism as farmers begin seeding

May 11, 2023 | 4:22 PM

An important season is underway in Saskatchewan. Farmers have started seeding in most areas of the province.

Saskatchewan is home to more than 40 per cent of Canada’s cultivated farmland, producing nearly 35 million tonnes of total crop production in 2022. Agriculture Minister David Marit said the province is a global leader in agricultural trade because of the abundance of high-quality, sustainably produced crops grown in our province.

“As producers undertake the significant investment of spring seeding, we encourage them to be aware of their surroundings, be farm safe and ask everyone to be mindful of the farm equipment on roadways during this busy season,” Marit said.

The Ministry of Agriculture released the first Crop Report for the year. More than 200 farmers, ranchers, agrologists and other volunteers fill out a weekly survey during the growing season to contribute information that forms the crop report.

“I wanted to really thank the crop reporters,” Marit said. “I think its important that they get recognized.”

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The Ministry is actively seeking additional volunteers. For more information about becoming a volunteer crop report, contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-8377.

Seeding was delayed in April due to cool weather and spring snowstorms as fields had to warm up and dry out before work could begin. As a result, seeding progress is behind the five-year average of 23 per cent.

The northwest leads with seeding progress at 17 per cent, while the west central and southwest are at 14 and 13 per cent respectively. The northeast has seven per cent seeding complete, which is ahead of normal for this time of year. The southeast and east central regions have wetter fields than the rest of the province and both sit at three per cent seeded.

Producers in the southwest and west central regions are already raising concerns about how dry their fields are and are hoping for a good soaking rain once most of the seeding is finished.

Topsoil moisture for cropland is rated as five per cent surplus, 72 per cent adequate, 21 per cent short and two per cent very short.

Hay and pastureland is rated as two per cent surplus, 66 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and four per cent very short. While these conditions show improvement over last fall, producers are hoping for more rain in June and July.

Livestock producers in areas that did not receive adequate snowfall are anticipating minor to moderate water shortages over the next two months if they do not receive a significant rainfall.

Calving is coming to an end, and livestock producers will soon begin assessing their pastures and moving cattle out when they can. Producers who are running low on feed for their livestock have already started moving some of their herd to pasture to help reduce feed consumption. The cool weather throughout April was good for moisture retention but it did not allow pastures to rapidly regrow.

Warm weather and some light rains will be needed to rejuvenate pastures.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW