As the snow continues to melt across the prairies, farmers are gearing up for the busy seeding season. According to Ian Epp, agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada, moisture levels across much of the region appear sufficient for crop germination.
"It looks to me like we've had enough moisture throughout winter. Obviously, we always need more during the summer season, but there's enough out there to get us up and going. Some areas are better than others but in general things look pretty good heading into spring.”
With the new season quickly approaching, many farmers are pulling their equipment out of sheds and finalizing their preparations. Alongside seeding plans, Epp emphasized the importance of ensuring crops are grown in a way that meets market expectations. A key resource for farmers is the Keep It Clean initiative, which provides guidance on best practices to maintain the marketability of their crops.
"Growers are really focused on growing their crops, managing pests, and making agronomic decisions, but Keep It Clean helps ensure that when they go to sell their harvest, there are no issues."