By Alice McFarlane

Spring planting ahead of average in Manitoba and Saskatchewan

Jun 5, 2025 | 12:11 PM

Very little seeding remains with all three Prairie provinces very close to wrapping up. Farmers are looking for a good general rainfall to encourage crop development.

Manitoba

Another productive week with Manitoba farmers planting 95 per cent of the crop, and many farmers will be wrapping up over the next week.

Manitoba Agriculture cereal crops specialist Ann Kirk said there was minimal precipitation with isolated rainfall events in the eastern region.

“Areas of that did receive rainfall on Monday would expect to see enhanced weed growth just because that little bit of moisture will stimulate some weed activity.” Kirk said. “There has been some spraying in corn, soybeans and some early seeded cereals for weeds so we expect herbicide applications will become more widespread this week.”

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Kirk said many crops are approaching the right stage for herbicide application, but windy days have delayed application.

Saskatchewan

Seeding is 97 per cent complete in Saskatchewan, up from 88 per cent last week.

Seeding is complete or nearly complete for field peas, spring wheat, durum, barley, triticale, canola, lentils, mustard, flax and oats.

Crops Extension Specialist Kim Stonehouse said the northeast region was the driest in the province.

“Cropland topsoil moisture is reported to be at only 22 per cent adequate and 56 per cent short and 22 per cent very short,” he said. “Hayland topsoil moisture is at 19 per cent adequate, 58 per cent short, and 23 per cent very short, and pasture topsoil moisture is similar.”

The dry, warm, and windy conditions were a factor in crop damage, and there have been reports of damage due to flea beetle, cutworm, grasshopper, wireworm, and wildlife however, it is minor overall.

Stonehouse said crop development is mostly good, with some reports of spotty emergence in later seeded crops.

Alberta

According to the last report from Alberta Agriculture, seeding for major crops had progressed to roughly 90 per cent complete, up from 72 per cent the previous week and ahead of the five-year average of 81 per cent.

The south was furthest ahead at 97 per cent, followed by the northwest at 93 per cent, central areas reporting 89 per cent, the northeast at 86 per cent, and the Peace at 84 per cent.

Crop emergence in all regions was ahead of their historical averages. Despite this progress, moisture levels have declined largely due to dry winds. Without adequate moisture this could become a concern for sustained crop and pasture development.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com