R.M. of Blucher. (NIgel Maxwell/ farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Seeding progressing

Farmers score big gains in the fields

May 16, 2019 | 12:34 PM

Despite a slow start, the 2019 provincial crop is now taking shape thanks in part to some cooperation from Mother Nature this past week.

According to this week’s crop report, 38 per cent of the 2019 provincial crop has now been seeded, ahead of the five-year average of 31 per cent for this time of year.

Seeding has progressed furthest in the southeastern region, where 53 per cent of the crop is in the ground. Fifty-two per cent of the crop has been seeded in the southwest, with 31 per cent seeded in the east-central region, 32 per cent in the west-central region, 22 per cent in the northeast and 28 per cent in the northwest.

Provincially, cropland topsoil moisture has been rated as one per cent surplus, 52 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Topsoil moisture on hay land and pasture was rated as 46 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 14 per cent very short. Hay and pasture growth has been slow due to little rainfall and cool conditions.

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Northeast Region

Rainfall this past week ranged from trace amounts to 21 mm in the Nipawin area. The Bruno and Vonda areas reported 7 mm, the Garrick and Spruce Home areas 5 mm and the Lake Lenore area received 2 mm.

Cropland topsoil moisture has been rated as two per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate, 14 per cent short and two per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture was rated one per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate, 12 per cent short and five per cent very short. Crop District 8A has reported five per cent of the cropland and one per cent of the hay land and pasture have surplus moisture at this time.

Northwest Region

Rainfall this past week ranged from trace amounts to 13 mm in the Speers area. The Duck Lake area received 7 mm, the Hafford area 2 mm and the Meadow Lake area 3mm. The Neilburg area has received the most precipitation since April 1 (30 mm).

The majority of fields have adequate topsoil moisture, although some areas remain short of moisture. Cropland topsoil moisture has been rated as one per cent surplus, 66 per cent adequate, 27 per cent short and six per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 55 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and 10 per cent very short.

Pasture growth has been slow and producers are waiting for better growing conditions. Farmers are busy seeding and working fields.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: nigelmaxwell