The snowbanks haven’t quite disappeared from the north side of the trees and there are still a few too many wet spots in the fields.
However, farmers in the Peace River area of northern Alberta and British Columbia began seeding this week.
Doreen Berge of Rolla, B.C., said they were still leery of going around some of the low spots in their field, but she hoped warming days and light breezes will have most farmers in the field soon.
On May 5, the sun was shining, the clouds had disappeared and the buds were starting to pop on the willows.
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“It’s spring for sure,” said Berge.
Across the border at Beaverlodge, Alta., Wayne Longson said a couple of neighbours have started seeding, but he would likely wait a few more days. He normally begins seeding May 1.
“It’s warmed up now and we’ve had a lot of snow melt, except for the fence lines. It’s just a few more days from starting my burn-off spraying.”
Longson said they’ve had little runoff despite the almost record amount of snow this winter.
Most of the snow disappeared directly into the parched fields after three years of drought-like conditions.
“We’re hoping it improves the subsoil moisture this year,” he said.
Steve Kramer of Fairview, Alta., had just pulled his equipment into the fields May 5. With a few thousand acres to seed, Kramer has no choice but to begin seeding.
“It’s dry. There is snow on the edges,” he said while seeding wheat.
“Everyone is basically starting in the fields.”
Mike Burton, general manager of Dunvegan Ag Solutions in Rycroft, Alta., said some farmers had begun seeding wheat and peas during the first week of May, but most were waiting until the second week of May to begin seeding in earnest.
“There’s snow on the edge of the bush lines, but they won’t wait for all that to disappear. By (May 9 and 10) everyone will be going full tilt.”
Burton said farmers have good soil moisture to get the crop started, but it won’t replace timely rains throughout the crop year.
“After three years of drought, everyone is optimistic.”
David Penner of Worsley, Alta., said he wasn’t aware of farmers seeding May 5, but he expected a warm weekend would have most farmers in their fields the following week.
“There is still snow on the north side of the bush,” he said. “Everyone is just kind of waiting and getting things ready.”
Gordon Downey said his farm near Manning, Alta., in the Peace River Valley could use a rain. The microclimate at the bottom of the valley has benefited from the extra heat.
“We’re fortunate, it’s warmer down here.”
Doug Cunningham thinks he was one of the first farmers in the field May 3. A warm rain the previous week at his farm near Dunvegan melted away the snow and warmed up the soil enough for him to begin seeding peas.
“The conditions around here are just about perfect,” said Cunningham while seeding.
Like other farmers, Cunningham hopes to get timely rain in June. The region had good spring moisture last year, but didn’t get enough rain to keep the crops growing throughout the season.
“June rains are really crucial to get a crop going.”
Despite the later than normal start to the season, Cunningham plans to stick with his original seeding plans of wheat, canola and peas. He will switch some wheat acres to barley if seeding gets really late.
Cunningham said he has good quality seed to choose from, considering that 80 percent of last year’s cereal crop graded number one.
“We took off good quality wheat. There just wasn’t much of it.”
It’s a similar story across Alberta. Some farmers started seeding May 5 near Camrose, but most were waiting a few more days to let the fields dry a little more.
Southern Alberta farmers are also beginning to seed.
Peas and wheat started to go in around Calgary and Three Hills May 6, but most farmers were holding off until May 9 or 10 as they wait for slightly drier weather.
