Producers are facing concerns with soil moisture and erosion in southeastern Alberta. (CHAT News File Photo)

By Brian Konrad

Seeding ahead of schedule in the region

Drought conditions remain a major concern for region as spring seeding continues

May 13, 2022 | 9:25 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The latest crop report from Alberta agriculture indicates that southeastern Alberta remains dry.

Drought worries dominate conversations in region one, the area from Strathmore to Medicine Hat, over to Lethbridge and south to Foremost.

Surface moisture conditions are 41 per cent good to excellent, which is 15 per cent less than the same time a year ago.

Soil erosion due to wind is also a concern.

Tame hay and pastures are also showing stress from persistent drought.

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Current conditions are showing 19 per cent good or excellent for hay, which is down from 59 per cent a year ago.

Only 13 per cent of tame hay and pastures are good or excellent, down from 57 per cent at this time last year.

Still, producers in region one are ahead of the five-year average for seeding, with 36 and a half per cent of crops in the ground as of May 3.