Heading into spring, much of the Prairie region has average soil moisture, according to the Palmer Drought Index, with the western part of the region showing above-average levels. The largest areas with below-average soil moisture are the northern part of the Peace region, a pocket straddling the central border of Manitoba and Saskachewan, and a similar pocket at the southern portion of that provincial boundary.

Sea ice continues shrinking

The last few years have seen some of the smallest sea ice coverage, plus a look into the continued spring melt on the Prairies

Reading Time: 4 minutes The last few years have seen some of the smallest sea ice coverage, plus a look into the continued spring melt on the Prairies.




Canola crops have been targetted by tariffs from both the U.S. and China, and one expert believes growers could replace up to one million acres of canola with cereals.

Canola could lose out as farmers’ plan for tariff

Farmers have already made most of their seeding decisions but could still fine-tune them if tariffs are reinstated in April

Reading Time: 3 minutes Protectionist trade actions in two key export markets will likely influence farmers’ seeding plans, says an analyst.



Photo: Jeannette Greaves/File

Saskatchewan spring planting virtually complete

At 98 per cent complete, spring planting in Saskatchewan has essentially wrapped up for 2024, although for rain has delayed farmers’ last rounds in the northeast and east-central regions of the province. For the week ended June 10, it was the northeast that received the most precipitation in Saskatchewan. The province’s latest crop report noted […] Read more


A seeding unit sits parked in a field north of Winnipeg, Man., due to wet field conditions on June, 6, 2024.  Photo: Greg Berg

Manitoba seeding nears completion: report

Manitoba farmers made good seeding progress in early June despite wet conditions, with 92 per cent of intended acres in the ground – up nine points from the previous week, according to the latest provincial crop report for the week ended June 11. Spring cereals, peas, and grain corn were approximately 97 per cent complete. […] Read more

Photo: Allan Dawson/File

Seeding very close to wrapping up in Alberta

Spring planting in Alberta has almost wrapped up for this year, with the agriculture ministry pegging it at 97 per cent complete province-wide as of June 4. Seeding advanced 20 points on the week with the pace at the five-year average. The greatest overall progress was made in northeastern, northwestern and central Alberta. The northeast […] Read more