Even though it was a wet spring, farmers near Humboldt are starting to catch up on seeding.
"I think overall, I think in this area probably we're about 95 per cent completed," said Jordan Bergermann, reeve of the R.M. of Humboldt.
"I think the fifth or 10th of May is usually where the guys do get started... We weren't much behind that this year."
Bergermann isn't far off with his estimate. According to the May 31 to June 6 crop report, 79 per cent of the 2011 crop was seeded in the province and 83 per cent in the east central part of the province. The five-year average for this time of year is typically 90 per cent seeded.
"Basically we are just about wrapping it up and the spraying is underway," said Bergermann. "It is well started and crops are moving along well, I think ."
Although the flooding that came with spring run-off looked like it was going to be a problem for the farmers, for the most part, farmers have not had too big of a problem in Bergermann's RM.
"There is some land out there that is simply not accessible because of the flooding that has occurred since spring run-off," said Bergermann.
"Up in the north-west, there are definitely some acres that are cut off because of flooding... There's also pockets in the RM, the south-west corner and south of Humboldt that do have a lot of (waterholes)."
Bergermann explained that although there are not too many areas with moisture problems in the R.M. of Humboldt, other rural municipalities may have more problems with moisture.
Recent warm weather has also helped farmers catch up this spring.
"We've had fairly nice weather, a long period of sunshine and warmer weather," said Bergermann. "The nights are cooler, yeah, but the daytime temperatures (have been high)."
The warm weather has not only helped dry the land for farmers, it has also provided the plants with sunlight needed to grow.
"If you watch over a period of three or four days, you can see that the plants are on the march," said Bergermann.
Now farmers are looking forward to a little bit of rain to help their crops grow.
"They are probably looking forward to a little shower, although they've certainly got lots of moisture but rain is always welcome for startup," said Bergermann.
According to Bergermann, many farmers have already started spraying.
"A lot of Roundup Ready canola is being sprayed," said Bergermann.
"For the most part, I think a lot of the guys are going on the first pass with their canola and some broad leaf spraying is being done in the cereal crops as well."
Bergermann believes it now looks like it will be a good year for farmers in the area.
"The farmers have been active out there, they've been putting in long days and getting the job done," said Bergermann.
