Moose Jaw area producers are ahead of the rest of the province and essentially finished seeding for 2009.
Across Saskatchewan, farmers are reporting 79 per cent of the 2009 crop is seeded. The five-year average for this time of the year is 76 per cent complete. Frost and dry conditions were the major concerns reported throughout the province during the past week.
However, the past week was fairly ideal for local farmers, who crop management specialist Grant McLean said are almost 100 per cent finished planting all types of crops.
He said higher temperatures with periodic moisture over the past three days really helped local farmers to finish seeding.
"They're taking really good advantage of the warm weather."
Early seeded peas, lentils, wheat and canola crops are emerging. McLean said local farmers have begun looking for pests and plant diseases in preparation for crop treatment with herbicides and pesticides.
While seeding conditions are almost ideal at the moment, McLean said less wind would be preferable once farmers actually start spraying.
As for cattle producers, the current weather conditions have allowed for timely seeding of hay crops in the Moose Jaw area.
Saskatchewan pasture conditions in general have not changed since the end of April with 65 per cent rated as fair to excellent.
Availability of livestock water has also remained the same since the end of April. Reports indicate 92 per cent of producers have adequate water supply.
Across the province, topsoil moisture conditions are reported as 72 per cent adequate on crop land and 62 per cent adequate on hay and pasture land.
Crop reports from some of the western half of the province indicate topsoil moisture conditions are declining.
In some areas of the west, topsoil moisture conditions are rated from short to very short.
Rain and heavy thunder showers were reported in some parts of the province.
Carter Haydu can be reached at 691-1265.
