Saskatchewan farmers made good seeding progress this past week and are nearing completion.

The latest crop report says 96 percent of the crop is planted, up from 80 percent last week and ahead of the 5 year average of 92 percent.

Seeding ranges from 99 percent in the southwest to 93 percent in east-central areas of the province.

There was some rain in the northern part of the grainbelt but strong winds have reduced topsoil moisture conditions in central and southern regions of the province.

Cropland topsoil is rated one percent surplus, 65 percent adequate, 30 percent short and four percent very short.

The majority of crops are rated good except some smaller seed crops like canola and mustard are rated fair to good.

This is mainly due to reduced germination caused by winds and lack of moisture as well as flea beetle pressure.

In general, emergence of early-seeded crops is good and uniform, but more moisture is needed to help germination of later seeded crops and to support crop development.

Most of the crop damage this past week was due to strong winds, dry soil conditions, flea beetles and light frosts in some eastern areas.