Lack of rain in southeastern Saskatchewan has farmers frustrated

Southern Saskatchewan farmers need rain if they’re going to have a productive growing season.

Strong winds and a lack of moisture have frustrated producers in some parts of the province.

However, Weyburn-area farmer Jake Leguee said a large amount of subsoil moisture has helped much of his crop germinate and start to grow.

“Eighty-five, 90 per cent of the crop is doing just fine,” he said. “It was able to get seeded into moisture early on. It’s just that last 10, 15 per cent of the crop that got seeded into dry soil …

“With these winds, it has just really taken a toll on the crop. There’s a fair amount of patchiness, just little spots we really need a rain on.”

While Leguee is optimistic about the season, he can’t help but worry about the lack of rain in his area.

“Anytime you miss rain after rain, it’s hard not be a little concerned about a pattern that might be developing,” he said.

He didn’t expect to deal with dry topsoil conditions this season, as the forecast showed plenty of moisture. But it hasn’t come through for him quite yet.

It’s still a far cry better than last year, when he didn’t get any significant rain until July and had little subsoil moisture to back it up.

“The situation now is not dire by any means, but it is something we’re concerned about, absolutely … But we do have a nice crop coming. We just need to get some moisture to keep it going,” he explained.

The relentless wind has also made seeding season tougher than usual.

“Every time we think it goes away, it seems to be coming back,” Leguee said of the wind. “It has made for a bit of a challenging and irritating spring to be outside, trying to get anything done.”