Canada Markets

Saskatchewan Seeding Nears an End; Conditions Improve

Cliff Jamieson
By  Cliff Jamieson , Canadian Grains Analyst
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The blue bars represent the Saskatchewan government's estimate for the percent of crops at normal growth stages as of June 13, which is compared to the five-year average for mid-June (green bars). The current percentages are the lowest for this week in three years, with 2019 crops further behind. (DTN graphic by Cliff Jameison)

Despite the challenging conditions faced in the eastern part of the province due to excessive precipitation this spring, the Saskatchewan government has estimated 98% of all crops have been seeded as of June 13. Based on Statistics Canada's preliminary estimates for seeded acres, this would indicate close to 750,000 acres are not seeded and may remain unseeded.

Many areas received much needed rain over the past week, although the June 13 cut-off date will result in data that won't be considered until the next report, so conditions are even better than reported. In addition, more precipitation is on the way for the week ahead.

The government estimates 65% of the cropland is rated as having adequate topsoil moisture, up from 56% last week after ranging over a narrow range from 55% to 58% over the previous five weeks. One year ago, this rating was 72%. The area of the province rated surplus topsoil moisture is down 9 points to 7%, the lowest seen in four weeks. The area rated short to very short is shown at 28%, a number that has been flat for a number of weeks, although many of the dry areas on the west side of the province have seen significant precipitation since the cut-off for this report.

As seen on the attached graphic, the percentage of the crop rated at normal growth stages is below average for spring cereals, oilseeds and pulses, but they have been lower on this week and as recent as 2019. DTN's 5-Day Highs Compared to Normal shows daytime highs across the majority of the Prairies to range from 0-6 C above normal, which can be viewed as beneficial in order to promote active plant growth.

Cliff Jamieson can be reached at cliff.jamieson@dtn.com

Follow Cliff Jamieson on Twitter @Cliff Jamieson

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