Seeding almost complete, moisture still short in latest crop report

Saskatchewan farmers are almost done seeding, but they’re facing a few problems as we head into the growing season.

In its weekly crop report Thursday, the province said that 99 per cent of crops across the province are in the ground.

A few fields are still being seeded for green feed and silage.

While seeding is nearly complete, moisture continues to be an issue for many farmers.

A few parts of the province saw a good amount of rain earlier this week; the Cando area got the most at 40 millimetres, or about an inch and a half.

Still, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as adequate in only 56 per cent of fields, while 40 per cent don’t have enough. It’s considered very short in four per cent of fields.

It’s even drier for hay and pasture land, where topsoil moisture is rated as 35 per cent adequate, 53 per cent short and 12 per cent very short.

The dry soil conditions have caused some crop damage. There was also damage from strong winds and bugs, specifically flea beetles and cutworms.

Some farmers are reseeding because of damage from insects.