‘Why we’re world leaders’: Province highlights speedy start to spring seeding

Seeding is underway south of Regina. (Gareth Dillistone / CTV News)

Warm spring conditions have allowed producers to get in the field earlier, something the provincial government is keen to highlight as seeding progress continues to outperform expectations.

According to the first annual crop report, seeding across the province is already 18 per cent complete, with those in the southwest flying far ahead with 43 per cent of crops in the ground.

Despite several storms during the month of April, producers have been able to make some serious progress, with the current metric outstripping Saskatchewan’s 10-year average of 12 per cent.

Minister of Agriculture Daryl Harrison spoke to reporters at an event east of Regina Monday - touching on the progress already made in the fields this year.

“We know seeding in this province is a massive undertaking involving more than 40 per cent of Canada’s cultivated farmland,” he said.

“We say it a lot, repeating that agriculture is one of Saskatchewan’s core industries. There are good reasons why we’re world leaders in dryland agriculture production.”

Minimal precipitation overall this spring has also assisted the early jump on seeding.

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The province noted that limited moisture over the previous week has allowed seeding to progress quickly through most regions. The highest rainfall was reported in the Alida area (16 mm) while Lafleche recorded (12 mm).

Overall, most topsoil in the province remains at adequate moisture levels – with the vast majority of cropland (78 per cent), hayland (71 per cent) and pasture land (68 per cent) moisture are reported to be adequate.

“Timely rains are more important,” Harrison added. “Downpours, although it’s moisture, they’re not as significant to crop development as a general rain that allows it to soak into the soil.”

Progress in the field also means a more visible presence on highways and grid roads across Saskatchewan. The province is encouraging patience when it comes to encountering producers.