A late spring has delayed seeding in all regions. Daily average temperatures in the first half of April were 8-10 degrees below long term normals postponing snow melt. Warm temperatures during the second half of the month has melted all the snow though soil dry down and warming have been negatively impacted by the late disappearance. Seeding could be further delayed if producers wait for the first weed flush to occur. To date, less than 1 per cent of crops have been seeded with a small number of acres completed in the South and Central regions. Seeding progress is the worst since 2011 when only 0.1 per cent of the province was completed. That year, 90 per cent of crops were seeded by June 2.
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Hay and pasture crops have been slow to initiate growth due to delays in thawing of the frost layer. Only 46 per cent of hay and pastures are rated in good or excellent condition. The delays continue to force cattle producers to feed their livestock, drawing down further on tight supplies which had been negatively affected by the colder than normal winter temperatures.
Overland flooding has been an issue in many areas of the province. 73 per cent of the province is rated good or excellent for surface soil moisture with a further 21 per cent rated excessive. Soil moisture reserves are below long term averages in much of the South and Central regions, and the north portion of the Peace region.
84 per cent of fall seeded crops are rated in good or excellent condition.
