(file photo/CKOM News Staff)

By Joseph Ho/CKOM News Staff

Recent snow not a big splash for farmers, crop expert says

Apr 2, 2019 | 5:49 PM

Many are probably sick of the snow, but it plays an important role for farmers at this time of year.

It provides spring runoff into dugouts and helps replenish soil moisture, said Brent Flaten, a crop specialist based in Moose Jaw.

However, he said the latest snowfall won’t go far enough to do that.

“We’ve had some snow in some areas but generally not enough to amount to a lot of moisture,” Flaten said.

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Flaten said a better picture of moisture levels will emerge once the crop report comes out, but he noted that the part of the province south of Highway 16 has been dry.

“Heavy wet snow or a good soak or rain prior to seeding would be great,” he said.

However, he is hopeful for some wet stuff as Environment Canada is forecasting rain this week.

“It looks promising for some moisture events over the next week or so, but it’s a wait-and-see game,” he said.