Seeding has wrapped up in southeast Saskatchewan, and now for many producers, the waiting game has begun. 

With strong winds continuing for much of the week, topsoil is drying out and producers are waiting for rain. While some areas received some rain, more is needed for crop development, especially with canola. Some producers in the region are even indicating they will be reseeding some of their canola fields to green feed. 

Some areas have received rain, although it does vary across the region. Radville received roughly 1.6 mm of precipitation in the past week, while Maryfield received 16 mm and the Frobisher and Alida areas 24 mm.  

The strong winds, which in some areas topped 60 kilometres an hour at times, have decreased topsoil moisture in the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 55 percent adequate, 39 percent short and six percent very short, while hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated 39 percent adequate, 48 percent short and 13 percent very short.  

In terms of development, some crops are faring well so far. Fall cereals are the furthest along, with 92 percent of the crop reported as at the normal stage of development. Seventy-two percent of the pulse crops are at a normal stage, 69 percent of spring cereals are normal, and 64 percent of the oilseed crops are at the normal stage of development for this time of year. Crop conditions also vary in the region, with 73 percent of lentils being rated as good, but just 47 percent of canola rated good. 

There has been some crop damage reported in the past week, with the culprits primarily the wind, dry soil conditions, flea beetles and cutworms. The winds have also made it difficult for farmers to get out into the fields to spray, resulting in some pressure from the weeds.  

In terms of the rest of the province, the weekly report from the provincial Ministry of Agriculture shows 99 percent of the crop in the province is in the ground.