SEEDING PROGRESS SLOWED BY WET WEATHER

Saskatchewan farmers have seeded 18 per cent of the 1999 crop,

according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food's weekly crop report.



This is up from 15 per cent seeded last week, and compares to the

five-year (1994-98) average of 37 per cent, and 1998 progress of 77

per cent. Dry weather enabled farmers to make rapid progress in 1998,

while wet weather is holding back progress in 1999.



An average of 44 mm of precipitation fell across the province during

the past week, halting fieldwork in almost all areas. Crop land and

hay and pasture land topsoil moisture conditions are greatly improved,

with areas now reporting excessive moisture conditions, particularly

on the eastern side of the province. Warm, drying weather is now

needed to enable farmers to get back on the land.



Seeding progress varies substantially with some eastern areas

reporting less than one per cent of the crop planted, while some

western areas report up to two-thirds complete. Pea and lentil crops

are about one-third planted, with durum and mustard crops almost

one-quarter planted. Depending on how soon farmers are able to return

to seeding operations, there may be some changes in seeding plans in

favour of more short-season crops.



Weeds are becoming a concern as cool, wet weather has hampered

weed-control operations. There is concern about seedling

diseases as seeded fields are slow to emerge with the cool, wet

weather, and in some cases, parts of fields that were seeded

earlier are now underwater. Forage and canola crops suffered

some frost damage in south central, southwestern, east central,

and west central areas.



The cool, wet weather has also been a problem for livestock

producers with calf deaths reported in south central and

southwestern areas.



Winterkill in fall-seeded crops is reported on seven per cent of

both the winter wheat and fall rye crops. Winterkill damage was

relatively uniform across the province, and is slightly lower

than last year. Of greater concern, seems to be damage to the

fall-seeded crops from drowning. Producers are reported to be

planning to reseed 15 per cent of the winter wheat acreage and 14

per cent of the fall rye acreage that was winterkilled. As well,

some reseeding will likely occur once the water in low-lying

areas recedes.



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For more information, contact:



Terry Karwandy

Agriculture Economist

Statistics Branch

Agriculture and Food

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-5956