Farmers here in the southeast are hoping for an early start to spring planting this year. Ed Peters of Henervic Farms at Randolph, west of Steinbach, says preliminary indications are that they will get on the land considerably earlier than last spring.

"All the indications are that it would be earlier this year. If the snow is gone in the beginning of March (as happened this year) it would take some cold weather for it not to be earlier. We've also seen weather patterns shift and, if it would become a really wet spring, it could take some time. But I would be surprised if it's as late as last year."

Peters adds there is considerable optimism in the farming community.

"The last years have been good price-wise. And, with the way the spring is shaping up, and the pricing has been relatively strong, considering the production increases world wide, we're optimistic for this summer."

Peters says they are not planning much change in the crops they will grow on their 5,200 acres this year. He notes the weather patterns may not always be in favour of the highest priced crop and sometimes the lower priced crop may be the one that will give the best return because the weather is best suited to that crop. Peters says they'll be planting soybeans, grain corn, canola and wheat.