Seeding progress has increased throughout many regions this week, despite the snow and rain Humboldt has experienced along with much of the province. 

According to the provincial government's weekly crop report, 52 percent of the 2022 crop is now seeded, up 33 percent from last week. This is still behind the five-year average of 78 percent for this time of the year. 

This past week, Humboldt experienced 3 - 5 mm of rainfall, which the Government states will help improve soil moisture conditions and the establishment of early seeded crops. 

The west-central region is the farthest along with nearly 81 percent of the crop seeded. Seventy-six percent of the crop is seeded in the northwest, 73 percent seeded in the southwest, 44 percent in the southeast, 22 percent in the northeast and 21 percent in the east-central region of the province. 

The east received significant amounts of precipitation. The Hudson Bay area reported 88 mm, the Jedburgh area 85 mm, the Rama area 83 mm, the Indian Head area 32 mm and the Biggar and Cando areas 11 mm. While rain is welcome in the eastern half of the province, many producers are eager to continue their seeding operations.

The Government states soil moisture continues to improve across the province,  mainly in the eastern regions where most of the spring precipitation was received. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 15 percent surplus, 58 percent adequate, 18 percent short and 9 percent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as six percent surplus, 63 percent adequate, 20 percent short and eleven percent very short.

Pasture conditions are rated as 10 percent excellent, 27 percent good, 36 percent fair, 16 percent poor and 11 percent very poor. The crop report states pastures in the western half of the province are struggling to establish this spring due to very limited precipitation causing many livestock producers in the area to continue to feed cattle on farms.

Earlier seeded crops have started to emerge where the moisture is sufficient, but the cooler weather over the past week has slowed the growth of many crops. In general, most crops are rated as normal for their development except for canola, which was rated as 67 percent behind. This is likely due to the extremely dry conditions in the southwest and west-central regions, delaying growth and the recent cool weather across the whole province. 

Most of the crop damage this week was due to minor flooding, light frosts, drought conditions and flea beetles. Producers continue to report that there is a shortage of farm equipment parts. There are also some reports of input and herbicide shortages throughout the province.