Seeding has begun in the province, although many producers are still working fields and controlling weeds. Three per cent of the 2016 crop has been seeded, compared to the five-year (2011-2015) seeding average of less than one per cent.
Field conditions in the south have been generally favourable and many producers have been seeding for several weeks already. In the southwest, producers have eight per cent of the crop in the ground, while in the southeast, producers have four per cent seeded.
There is little, if any, crop in the ground in the other parts of the province. Producers in those regions will begin seeding in the next couple of weeks, weather and field conditions permitting.
Top soil conditions are generally good. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 83 per cent adequate, 10 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 71 per cent adequate, 20 per cent short and five per cent very short.
Parts of the southwestern and west-central regions received much-needed moisture earlier in the week in the form of snow and rain. Some areas received up to 40 mm of snow. In contrast, much of the east-central and northeastern regions are reporting excess moisture.
Producers will need warm and dry weather before they can begin field work.
Pasture conditions are rated as five per cent excellent, 31 per cent good, 35 per cent fair, 23 per cent poor and six per cent very poor. Many pastures are slow to green up and could use some moisture.
The weather has generally been favourable for spring calving.
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