Marvin Eddy planted the first round of canola seed into his land 25 kilometres southeast of Weyburn on Monday, hoping conditions are right for this year's crop to prosper.

"Last year was too wet, but this year looks good. It's better as far as moisture conditions go - more normal," he said.

Weyburn's crop district did, in fact, receive a nice moisture boost last week, with an average of 18 mm falling in the region. Over 25 mm of precipitation was reported in RM 66 near Griffin, and in RM 96 near Fillmore.

Sask. Ag and Food's weekly crop report, released Monday, indicates stubble subsoil moisture conditions have improved across the southern grainbelt, and topsoil moisture conditions on crop land in the southern grainbelt are generally fair to good.

Like many of his neighbours, Eddy finished up pre-seeding work on the weekend and only had about 100 of his 1,050 acres planted early in the week. Across the province, seeding is two per cent complete, with the most progress in the southwest corner of the province at eight to 14 per cent completed.

Crops that are reported to have over five per cent seeded include field peas, chickpeas and lentils. There are reported shortages of inoculant for pulse crops right across the province.

Chickpeas and lentils are on the list of crop choices Eddy has made this year, with the hope these pulses will fetch a reasonable price. He says he's also taking his chances on mustard, durum and spring wheat.

"There still is concern about prices not being too good, and your input costs are high compared to what you get back," said the farmer, noting the recently announced freight rate increase of 4.5 per cent would eat into his profits, too.

"When you took a load of wheat to town you used to get $1,100 to $1,200 for it. Now you get about $600," he said.

Despite the continuing low prices, Eddy says the majority of farmers are out in the fields again this spring - and in this area, it's necessary because granaries are empty due to the late crop freezing last fall.

But Eddy also noted many of his neighbours are seeding their land to grass, focusing on their livestock operations as cattle prices remain high.

Topsoil moisture conditions on hay and pasture land improved slightly in the southern grainbelt, with less than 15 per cent rated poor, compared with almost 30 per cent last week. The crop report indicates pastures are still generally in need of rain and warm temperatures for good grass growth. Cattle are being moved out to summer pasture.

Poor fall rye crops are being reported in localized areas in the southeast, and some of the winter wheat crop in the southeast has not germinated.