(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Agriculture Report

Agriculture Roundup for Thursday May 21, 2020

May 21, 2020 | 11:25 AM

Seeding progress was significant in the past week.

According to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s latest crop report, fifty-one per cent of the crop has been planted in the province, which is the five year average.

The southwest corner of the province has the highest seeding percentage at 74 per cent, while the northeast has the lowest percentage seeded, at 26 per cent.

Seventy two per cent of the field peas are seeded in the northeast, 50 per cent of the spring wheat, 37 per cent of the canary seed, 32 per cent of the barley, 24 per cent of the oats, 12 per cent of the canola, and 10 per cent of the flax is seeded.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated at 75 per cent adequate, while 67 per cent of the hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as adequate.

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Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health is again reminding residents to take precautions against deadly hantavirus.

Dr. Denise Werker says the rare virus is spread through mouse droppings and exposure occurs when cleaning enclosed buildings like grain bins, sheds, barns and cottages.

Dr. Werker suggests using a wet mop with water and bleach instead of vacuum or broom.

Since December 1994, there have been 35 cases of hantavirus in Saskatchewan, and 11 were fatal.

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Federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau says farmers will benefit from this week’s expansion of the eligibility of the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA).

She says farmers without payroll can now access the $40,000 interest-free loan available under CEBA, up to $10,000 of which is forgiven if the rest is repaid by Dec. 31, 2022.

To qualify, farmers with payroll lower than $20,000 need a business operating account at a financial institution, a Canada Revenue Agency business number, and filed a tax return in the past two years.

Bibeau says for those who are still unable to access the Emergency Business Account, earlier announced programs like the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund may help.