Weather keeping farmers out of the fields

Naig noted 4 percent of the oat crop has been planted — more than a week behind last year and the five-year average.

“The weather forecast for the next couple of weeks looks mixed, so we are still likely a few weeks out from widespread spring fieldwork,” Naig added.

There was less than a full day suitable for fieldwork last week due to weather conditions, although there were isolated reports of grain transport and fertilizer applications. Topsoil moisture levels are rated 2 percent very short, 7 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 15 percent surplus, while subsoil moisture levels are rated 3 percent very short, 12 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus.

Also, livestock conditions continued to be mixed, Naig said, with cold temperatures and snow hampering early spring pasture growth and continuing to present challenges for calving throughout much of the state.