Alberta producers made rapid seeding progress again this past week, but moisture conditions are deteriorating amid warm and windy weather.
Friday’s weekly crop report pegged the seeding of major crops in the province (spring wheat, oats, barley, canola, peas) at 90% complete as of Tuesday, up from 72% a week earlier and ahead of the five- and 10-year averages of 81%.
However, surface soil moisture across province fell to 56% good to excellent as of Tuesday, down 8 points on the week and below the five- and 10-year averages of 68% and 66% good to excellent, respectively.
“Without adequate moisture, this could become a concern for sustained crop and pasture development,” the report said.
Surface soil moisture remains above the provincial average in the Central Region at 80% good to excellent, but all other regions are below. Surface soil moisture in the South and North West regions was rated 47% good to excellent, with the North East at 50% and the Peace at 40%.
Regionally, seeding in the South is furthest ahead at 97% complete, followed by the North West at 93%, the Central at 89%, the North East at 86%, and the Peace at 84%. Among major crops, dry peas are virtually complete at 99%, with oats the lowest at 74%.
Despite the increasing dryness in some areas, crop emergence has improved significantly, reaching 57% provincially, up from 31% the previous week and well above the 5-year average of 37%. All regions are ahead of their historical averages (5- and 10-year averages), with major crop emergence reported in the Central at 65%, the Peace at 64%, the South at 62%, the North East at 46%, and the North West at 42%.
Region One: South (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
• Seeding of major crops is at 97 per cent complete, above the 5-year average.
• More rainfall is needed as there were minimal amounts reported across the region. Surface (sub-surface) soil moisture conditions are rated 12 (12) per cent poor, 41 (49) per cent fair, 42 (35) per cent good, 5 (4) per cent excellent, 0 (0) per cent excessive.
• Pasture (tame hay) growth is slow due to cool nights and limited moisture, with conditions rated at 10 (11) per cent poor, 41 (41) per cent fair, 46 (45) per cent good, and 3 (3) per cent excellent.
• Cutworm and flea beetle damage, along with some frost, were reported in parts of the region.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
• Rainfall early in the week caused some delays in seeding, but progress for major crops now stands at 89 per cent, above the 5-year average.
• With hot and dry winds causing rapid drying, surface (sub-surface) moisture conditions are rated 1 (3) per cent poor, 19 (18) per cent fair, 63 (71) per cent good, and 17 (8) per cent excellent.
• Pasture (tame hay) growth conditions are now rated 87 (89) per cent good to excellent, supported by recent rains and warmer temperatures.
• Strong winds are hindering field work such as herbicide spraying and land rolling.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
• Seeding for major crops is complete at 86 per cent and above the 5- and 10-year averages.
• Moisture has been spotty and inconsistent, with some areas getting more rain than others. Surface (sub-surface) moisture conditions are rated 3 (9) per cent poor, 47 (50) per cent fair, 46 (41) per cent good, 4 (0) per cent excellent, and 0 (0) per cent excessive.
• Pasture (tame hay) growth is improving with the warmer weather but still requires additional moisture. Conditions are reported as 5 (5) per cent poor, 43 (41) per cent fair, 50 (50) per cent good, and 2 (5) per cent excellent.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
• Seeding for major crops has progressed significantly to 93 per cent complete, ahead of the 5-year average of 70 per cent.
• Some areas reported decent amounts of rain while others remain dry. Surface (sub-surface) soil moisture is rated 6 (5) per cent poor, 47 (46) per cent fair, 38 (44) per cent good, 9 (6) per cent excellent, and 0 (0) per cent excessive.
• Pastures (tame hay) growth conditions have improved but still requires additional rain to maintain growth. Conditions are rated 5 (2) per cent poor, 22 (14) per cent fair, 71 (72) per cent good, and 2 (13) per cent excellent.
Region Five: Peace (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
• Seeding for major crops has rapidly progressed to 84 per cent complete, up from 61 per cent last week and above the 5- year average of 69 per cent, with only a few fields reporting delays.
• Moisture is dry across the region, with surface soil moisture drying fast under warm daytime temperatures. Surface (subsurface) soil moisture conditions are rated 14 (6) per cent poor, 46 (42) per cent fair, 40 (52) per cent good, 0 (0) per cent excellent, and 0 (0) per cent excessive.
• Flea beetles are present in some fields, leading to insecticide applications in affected areas.
