Seeding in Sask. progresses to 16% but still behind average

Seeding is underway near Belle Plaine, Sask. (Gareth Dillistone / CTV News)

Seeding in Saskatchewan is progressing slowly due to dry and windy conditions in the province this week.

According to the provincial crop report covering May 5 to May 11, seeding is now at 16 per cent complete, a 13 per cent jump from the last report.

However, it is still lagging behind the five year average of 28 per cent and the 10-year average of 27 per cent.

• Spring seeding underway in parts of Saskatchewan, some areas delayed due to flooding

The southwest region of the province is furthest ahead at 34 per cent, followed by the southeast at 24 per cent. The west-central region is 13 per cent complete, the east-central region is at eight per cent, the northwest region is six per cent complete, and the northeast region is only one per cent complete.

The seeded acres that have made progress are pulse crops, such as field peas and lentils, followed by cereals and oilseed crops.

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Topsoil moisture is mostly adequate. While limited rainfall in the province this week allowed for more seeding progress, dry and windy conditions reduced the amount of water in the soil, resulting in several areas reporting shortages.

According to the report, most producers in the province are not concerned with water quality for their livestock, with 75 per cent of producers reporting no shortage of on-farm water supplies.

The complete crop report can be read here.