Seeding has wrapped up in the Southeast region now, although there are still some greenfeed and silage crops left to be seeded.

In-crop weed control is underway in areas with active weed growth; however, strong winds have been delaying producers for several weeks now. Rain in the southeast was long overdue as fields in the area were starting to look drought stricken. The lack of moisture was threatening the quality of some crops.

"I'd say the rain came just in time. I think some guys maybe were thinking of writing it off because I saw guys out checking crops and it looked like they were out pulling their hair out," said Dale Paslawski, a farmer from the Cedoux area, of the rain received over the last few days. "I actually wasn't too stressed yet at all but, yeah, a very timely rain. I think we'll be ok. It might just set some of our maturity back in the fall but that's farming 101."

Overall, the majority of crops are in fair-to-good condition, although many crops in drier areas are suffering from lack of moisture. Many crops are quite short and the recent rainfall may not help crop development or yield. There are reports of thin and stunted winter cereal crops and hay fields that are prematurely heading-out. Even with the moisture, hay fields in many areas will yield less than could be expected as the rain came too late. Some producers are expecting the haying season to be shorter than normal this year.

Crop development for fall cereals is 24 per cent ahead, 60 per cent normal and 16 per cent behind. Spring cereals are 14 per cent ahead, 52 per cent normal and 34 per cent behind. Oilseeds are nine per cent ahead, 43 per cent normal and 48 per cent behind. Pulse crops are 13 per cent ahead, 42 per cent normal and 45 per cent behind.

The majority of crop damage this past week was due to lack of moisture, wind and insects such as cutworms and flea beetles in the canola crops. Gophers and alfalfa weevils have also caused some issues in the area.

Farmers are busy trying to control weeds, picking rocks and getting ready for haying.