Spring temperatures will start softening the ground, and that means it's getting close to planting season for farmers.

That time might be far out for some, as snow is still likely coated on some fields, and how far along fields are tends to vary.

For the most part, farmers will be wanting to get crops in the ground as soon as possible to hopefully get the harvest done before more snow falls near the end of the year.

Agrologist Edgar Hammermeister says that tractors may start rolling over fields by next month.

"I haven't taken a look to see what the weather outlook is, whether there's expectations of a little bit more snow or not, but I think for sure that farmers will start going by the third week of April, barring any pleasant surprise of moisture."

That surprise moisture would be welcomed by farmers because some farmers are reeling from a drought last year, and more moisture would ensure a steady growing season.

An earlier start would also have its advantages for a farmer.

"It depends on which crop we're talking about. Dr. Brian Beres there at Ag Canada, he's been looking at ultra-early seeding of spring wheat, and now he's looking at other cereals as well," said Hammermeister, "They're finding that if seeding in soil starting at about 2 degrees celsius will on average not have a negative impact on yield potential, and can actually add in yield opportunity."

Hammermeister stresses that those results, as an average, may not always be true for every farmer who tries it.

Even taking the off years into account, Hammermeister states that seeding early is advantageous for farmers.

"The research has outlier years, where you know sometimes things don't work as well, but on average the science is showing that farmers who have more stable crop yields and better crop yields if they start seeding earlier."