Crop development lags in west-central Saskatchewan

By Your Southwest Media Group

Cool, wet weather this spring has slowed crop development across west-central Saskatchewan, with more than one-third of crops behind their normal growth stage for this time of year.

The latest crop report from Saskatchewan Agriculture shows nearly two-thirds of crops in the region are developing at a normal pace, while 37 per cent are behind schedule. No crops were reported ahead of normal development.

Farmers in west-central Saskatchewan had seeded 99 per cent of their acres as of June 15, matching the southwest region as the most advanced in the province.

Topsoil moisture conditions remained generally favourable, with 86 per cent of cropland rated adequate and 14 per cent short. Hay and pasture land moisture was rated 75 per cent adequate and 25 per cent short.

Minor crop damage was reported from wind, dry soil conditions, flea beetles, cutworms and pea leaf weevils.

Rainfall remained scarce during the reporting period. The highest amounts recorded in the region were four millimetres in the Rural Municipality of Pleasant Valley and three millimetres in both the RM of Biggar and one location in the RM of Snipe Lake.

Across Saskatchewan, crop development has varied because of uneven rainfall and growing conditions.

“While most crops are reported to be developing at a normal pace, a notable portion is also behind expected stages,” the provincial report stated.

Provincially, seeding reached 97 per cent completion, up from 93 per cent the previous week. The west-central and southwest regions led the province at 99 per cent complete, followed by the southeast and northern regions at 98 per cent and the east-central region at 90 per cent.

Meanwhile, Saskatchewan set a new export record in 2025, with more than $43.7 billion in exports shipped to over 160 countries, according to a separate provincial government report.

The Ministry of Trade and Export Development said exports outside Saskatchewan’s three largest markets increased 27.1 per cent last year.

Potash exports rose 13.5 per cent compared to 2024. Other leading exports included crude oil, wheat, canola seed and uranium.

The province also recorded $13.6 billion in private capital investment in 2025, an increase of 12 per cent that ranked first among Canadian provinces.

According to Statistics Canada data cited in the report, Saskatchewan’s gross domestic product reached a record $85.4 billion last year, up 2.2 per cent compared with the national average growth rate of 1.6 per cent.