Rain delays seeding, farmers still happy

Seeding of crops in Saskatchewan is half of the five-year average but farmers are smiling from recent rainfall.

While only 12 per cent of seeding was complete by May 6, farmers are pleased to see two to four inches of rain in two preceding weeks.

What was dry soil is now moist and can develop crops as they poke their way through the soil.

Moose Jaw received over four inches rain with over two in Mossbank and about the same elsewhere in the region.

The rains helped put water in farm ponds. Seventy per cent of livestock producers in the Moose Jaw-Regina region expect no on-farm water supply shortages.

In the southwest 19 per cent are still water short with 18 per cent needing more heavy rains.

The Moose Jaw Regina region had 16 per cent of seeding complete, led by peas, 35 per cent; chickpeas, 32 per cent; spring wheat, 28 per cent; and  durum wheat, 25 per cent.

One-fifth barley was in with nine per cent of canola.

Seeding was most advanced in the southwest s with almost one-quarter done, led by durum, 28 per cent; peas and lentils, 23 per cent and chickpeas, 21 per cent.

The rains mean there will be a short harvest followed by a waiting period until later seeded crops mature.