The latest crop report from the provincial Ministry of Agriculture shows the southeast is continuing to come along with the 2018 crop. The rains received in recent weeks have helped improved soil moisture conditions, as well as crop development.

There are some areas of concern for producers. Fall cereals, oilseeds and pulses crops all have around two-thirds of the crop developing normally, while spring cereals are around the 75 percent mark for normal development. Fall cereals have 34 percent of the crop behind the normal stages of development, while oilseeds are 35 percent behind and pulse crops 22 percent behind.

The topsoil moisture continues to be near a healthy level, despite not much precipitation in the past week. For cropland, the topsoil moisture is rated as 65 percent adequate, 14 percent surplus and 21 percent short. Hayland and pasture topsoil moisture is 72 percent adequate, 22 percent short, and five percent surplus.

Pastures and hayland are responding well to the moisture, as a number of producers have started to cut hay. There are some areas, though, which are expected to have reduced yields due to the lack of moisture to start the spring off.

One drawback to the rains has been the growth of weeds. Thanks to lower wind speeds this week, though, it has allowed many producers to go out and take care of in-crop weed control.