Sask. farmers hope for rain, relief from tariffs as seeding continues
Province reminds public to be patient, give farmers space on roads
With seeding well underway, Saskatchewan farmers are now looking at soil moisture levels and tariffs to see what this year will hold.
"The wind is sucking the moisture out of the ground at an exceptional rate. Things are drying up very, very quickly," said Jeremy Welter, who farms northeast of Kerrobert and is a vice-president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS).
According to the province's most recent crop report, about 18 per cent of the crop has been planted.
That same report said topsoil moisture levels are adequate in much of the province, but noted producers in the southwest may not have enough spring runoff to replenish dugouts.
"The moisture situation is changing rapidly. I think it is very much a question of where you go," Welter said.
The progress in spring seeding prompted the province to release a statement reminding people to slow down and give farmers space when they are moving equipment on the roads.
Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison said soil moisture levels are currently good in much of the province, but that rain is needed soon to help get crops growing.
Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said farmers are also looking to see China's tariff on Canadian canola products lifted, but that it's not farmers' top concern.
"The weather is the primary concern for producers. For about 140 days the weather will be their primary concern, because if they don't have something in the bin they don't have something to market."
China imposed a 100 per cent retaliatory tariff on Canadian canola oil and meal in March.
Both Kaeding and Harrison said they expect Ottawa will start working to get the tariff on canola products lifted after a new cabinet is announced this week.