LINDSAY — East Central Ontario recorded the driest April in at least 20 years.

As of April 27, Lindsay-based agronomist Neil Moore had recorded 16 mm of rain for the month and the forecast called for sunshine for the last days of the month. The average April rain fall is 60 mm, he said. Moore, who has been keeping records for 20 years, about two kilometers east of Lindsay, said that the previous record was in 2001 when he recorded 26 mm for April.

By month’s end, fields were crying out for rain. "Rain is the biggest story right now," Moore said, on April 27. "Every crop needs rain and a big rain."

It was dry as far east as Trenton. "Extremely dry," said Tri-County Agromart crop advisor Larry Hutchinson. We need a good rain."

The rest of Eastern Ontario was a different story.

"Conditions for planting were great," said OMAFRA crop specialist Scott Banks, based in Kemptville.