HUMBOLDT - Producers are just getting their seeding operations underway in the northeast after a week of warm weather allowed them access to their fields. Seeding is now at seven per cent, this is just ahead of the five-year average of six per cent.
Producers are optimistic that they will keep a good pace with their seeding if the weather co-operates. Many producers are applying anhydrous ammonia fertilizer as conditions are favourable for application. In the areas of heavier clay soils, producers are delaying work in any fields holding water in low spots in the hopes they will dry out. However, some believe the water may be here to stay for the season.
There was almost no precipitation this past week across the region with only a handful of producers reporting as much as 1 mm. This will help continue the drying trend in the region, but rain will be needed for the crop to further its development in the coming months.
Topsoil moisture conditions this week are rated as 3 per cent surplus, 86 per cent adequate and 11 per cent short. Hay land and pasture levels were rated as 2 per cent surplus, 82 per cent adequate and 16 per cent short. As of right now, crops have all they need to germinate and emerge, but rains will be needed if temperatures warm up in the coming weeks. Pastures are beginning to green up nicely in the region and livestock producers will be getting their cattle ready to be moved out to graze shortly.
Producers are busy seeding, applying anhydrous or carrying out other field work to get ready for when they can enter their fields. Those who have not started seeding are getting their equipment ready so they can get out and seed as soon as the fields are ready.
