West-central farmers nearly finish seeding after timely rains

By Your Southwest Media Group

Farmers across west-central Saskatchewan had essentially completed seeding their 2026 crops by June 8, with recent rainfall providing welcome moisture as the growing season gets underway.

According to the latest Saskatchewan Crop Report released Thursday, producers in the region had seeded 98 per cent of their acres, up from 90 per cent the previous week and in line with the five-year average of 99 per cent.

Rainfall varied across the region during the reporting period. The Rural Municipality of Monet received 24 millimetres, while Snipe Lake recorded 18 and 13 millimetres. The RM of Milden received 13 millimetres, Lacadena and the RM of Biggar each received 11 millimetres, Fertile Valley recorded nine millimetres, St. Andrews received six millimetres, and Pleasant Valley and the RM of Harris each reported five millimetres.

The moisture helped maintain favourable topsoil conditions. Cropland topsoil moisture was rated 92 per cent adequate and eight per cent short, while hay and pasture land was rated 88 per cent adequate and 12 per cent short.

Minor crop damage was reported from wind, dry conditions, gophers and flea beetles, according to the report.

Provincewide, seeding progress reached 93 per cent, up from 80 per cent the previous week but still behind the five-year and 10-year averages of 97 per cent.

West-central Saskatchewan led all regions with 98 per cent of acres seeded, followed by the southwest at 97 per cent, southeast at 96 per cent, northwest at 95 per cent, northeast at 92 per cent and east-central at 84 per cent.

The report noted that seeding was nearly complete across the province for field peas, lentils, durum and spring wheat, while 93 per cent of canola acres had been seeded.

With seeding winding down, producers have shifted their focus to weed control and scouting fields for signs of disease.

“Topsoil moisture conditions were relatively stable with an increase in surplus moisture in some regions due to the rainfall,” the report stated.