A slow start to seeding

With the warmer weather farmers in the southwest and west central areas have made some good progress, while producers in other areas are 
still waiting for fields to dry up.

Extension Specialist Matt Struthers says provincially 14 per cent of the crop is now in, which is still behind the five year average of 23 per cent.

"The southwest has 34 per cent of their crop seeded, followed by 20 per cent in the west-central, seven per cent in the southeast, five per cent in the northwest, three per cent in the east-central and one per cent in the northeast. "

Cropland topsoil moisture conditions have started to improve in a number of areas with the recent precipitation.

Rainfall amounts varied across the province from 49 mm at Pelly, to 46 mm at Bienfait, 26 mm at Shaunavon, 24 at Melfort and 1.5 mm at Consul.

Struthers says the drier areas of the province will need to see decent moisture to help with crop development.

"Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 58 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and 10 per cent very short. Hay and pastureland moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 29 per cent short and 13 per cent very short. This increase in moisture will help pastures grow rapidly."

Producers in the drier areas are being reminded to be cautious about the potential for grass fires with hot or sparking equipment.

Livestock producers in the southwest and west-central areas are monitoring pasture conditions, checking  water supply and testing water quality.