Seeding progress in Saskatchewan took a big jump over the past week, but farmers are still about two weeks behind their normal pace. According to the latest crop report from the Government of Saskatchewan, 80 per cent of the provincial crop was in the ground as of June 1, up from 52 per cent the week before.
The 28-point gain is good news, but it remains well back of the five-year average of 91 per cent and the 10-year average of 92 per cent for this time of year. Cold and wet conditions earlier this spring put seeding behind right from the start.
For the southeast region, which includes Yorkton, seeding reached 87 per cent complete. That is ahead of the provincial average but still under what farmers would expect in early June. Other regions are farther behind, with the northeast at 67 per cent and east-central at 63 per cent.
Cropland topsoil moisture is holding up despite recent heat and wind. The report rates 82 per cent of cropland topsoil as adequate, with 8 per cent surplus, 9 per cent short, and 1 per cent very short. Moisture levels have stayed fairly stable, which will help crops that have already emerged.
Wind and heat caused the main crop damage this past week. Minor damage from flea beetles, cutworms, and wireworms was also reported, while gopher damage ranged from minor to moderate in most areas. Hot, windy weather has also made spraying difficult, delaying herbicide applications in many places.
A year ago, seeding was nearly wrapped up at 97 per cent and topsoil moisture was already starting to drop. The 2026 season is playing out much differently, but a record harvest in 2025 shows what Saskatchewan farmers can do when conditions line up.
