Saskatchewan farmers are ecstatic about the nearly perfect growing conditions so far this season.
“The vast majority are really, really happy with the way things are going. They’re smiling,” Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) president Norm Hall said. “I don’t remember a year when we’ve been this happy.”
An early spring thaw and sunny skies allowed farmers to get into their fields early. Seeding was completed last week across the province, far earlier than usual.
Right on cue, steady rain has fallen over the past week to spur significant growth in cereals, pulses and other crops.
Glenn Tait is a National Farmers Union vice-president who grows wheat and canola and raises black Angus cattle near Meota. He agreed things are looking good.
The early seeding completion was especially important for his farm and others in the northern parts of the grain belt. With a growing season three weeks shorter than farmers in the Estevan or Maple Creek areas, any head start is welcome.
Prices, on the other hand, are not ideal, they said. Tait noted farmers’ marketing power has been eroded by the demise of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and the Canadian Wheat Board. Hall said prices are “decent” but estimates of significant world production of wheat, lentils and other crops will mean possible low prices for Saskatchewan farmers.
John Germs, who operates a 2,000 acre farm just northeast of Saskatoon, said he’d always like better prices, but the crops are looking great.
“Moisture-wise, things are excellent. Last year at this time, we were on our knees begging for rain,” Germs said.
Germs said the only problem with the early warm weather was the early growth of cut worms. He had to re-seed an entire quarter of canola.
Source : Leaderpost