We should expect to spring seeding get underway in the coming days.

That from Rejean Picard of Manitoba Agriculture, who says farmers should be heading out to the fields as soon as conditions allow.

He notes we're still on track for a normal year as far as timing goes.

"Compared to the last few years, growers would say we're probably a little bit behind from what we've had. We've had some very early seeding conditions the last two or three years. This year still wouldn't be necessarily considered late in terms of seeding. Late April, early May is a good time to start to plant some of the cereals grains such as wheat, oats and barley."

Picard notes that there wasn't as much frost in the ground over the winter, which is helping soil temperatures warm up quicker than in previous years.

He says that crops such soybeans, flax, and canola are usually planted mid to late May because their growing points remain above ground.

Corn is usually seeded in early May.