Farmers in southwest Sask. welcoming warm, dry forecast

Producers in southwest Saskatchewan are welcoming the warm, dry temperatures, since their planting season is slightly behind schedule.

Jim Hale, who farms pulses and cereals northwest of Swift Current, said due to the late snow and quick melt, it’s too wet to start seeding where he’s located.

“There’s lots of water in the low spots, so I think guys are kind of waiting a little bit to see whether it’ll dry up,” he explained.

“We also have a real fine, textured clay soil that really likes to hold on to the moisture. It kind of dries out on top, but it stays wet underneath.”

Typically, Hale noted, most farmers in the area start seeding around April 20, but this year, many won’t get into the field for another week.

He said best case scenario for the southwest is no rain for another few weeks, so farmers can get their crops in, then showers May long weekend.