Seeding wraps up, farmers hope for lots of rain

Now, farmers are waiting for a bit more of one simple ingredient in the growing process.

“Definitely more rain,” said Frieson. “Top soil moisture conditions are deteriorating in much of the province. It tends to be a little worse the more west we go but certainly the north and the east is also getting some of that. So some rain in the next week or two, which would be very beneficial.”

Frieson said most crops are in good condition, although they would improve with moisture and warmer temperatures. In some areas of the province, crop development has been delayed because of lack of rain with 57 per cent of crops in the province needing rain.

The majority of pasture land is also turning green slower than usual because of the conditions. In total, 62 per cent of hay land and pasture topsoil is lacking moisture.

While some professionals are ready to take summer holidays, most farmers aren’t at that point yet.

“Now that seeding is done, our attention turns to in crop spraying,” said Frieson. “So spraying for the weeds in the crop, in addition to that because we now how some grasshopper pressure, some flea beetle pressure, there will also be some insecticide being sprayed as well.”

In addition, some land has become unusable up north, although Frieson said she hasn’t heard of any crop damage yet.

“I know that there have been some acres taken out of production because of the fires up there,” she said.

For more updates, follow the 2015 crop report on Twitter @SKAgriculture.

asoloducha@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha

by Alex Soloducha

Seeding wraps up, farmers hope for lots of rain

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