Spring seeding just about complete in the province

Much needed moisture making a difference

Jessie Cole with Agriculture Financial Services Corporation says it's been an interesting year in Alberta. 

"We started quite dry, we came in with some very, very poor soil moisture conditions and threats of irrigation shut offs and water restrictions. It was looking pretty bad early on in the year."

But then we got some rain in May and "it just improved the situation immeasurably," said Cole.  

Although not quite every corner of the province is feeling the relief.

"I think there's still areas where they're struggling, in the peace country where it's a little bit drier on the west side, still quite dry up there. I think they've gotten a little bit of rain on the east side. So it depends on where you're at. They're still not in a great spot in some areas up there." 

Cole says 97 per cent of the seeding is complete and at this point germination looks pretty good however there is one crop he is concerned about and that one is corn. "We need a lot of heat units for corn to take off and grow. Like your cereals will be pretty good and canola is great and peas aren't too bad there. Corn needs quite a bit of heat and is actually kind of a limiting factor for it."