Alberta crop conditions remained near average at the end of June, although frequent rainfall, variable temperatures and short windows for fieldwork continued to slow development in some areas of the province.
The latest provincial crop report on Friday rated 68% of all crops in good-to-excellent condition as of Tuesday, down slightly from 70% on June 16. The rating remains close to normal for this time of year, sitting 3 points above the five-year average of 65%, but 3 points below the 10-year average of 71%. While moisture reserves have improved growing conditions in many areas, excess moisture and uneven heat have kept development behind long-term trends, the report said.
Regional crop conditions remain highly variable. The Central Region continued to lead the province, with 84% of all crops rated good to excellent, up from 81% two weeks earlier. The South was also strong at 81%, virtually unchanged from 80% in mid-June. However, conditions were weaker across northern Alberta. The North East fell to 55% good to excellent from 60%, while the Peace dropped to 57% from 66%. The North West remained the weakest region, with just 39% of crops rated good to excellent, little changed from 38% two weeks earlier.
Among major crops, spring wheat was rated 70% good to excellent as of June 30, down from 72% on June 16. Barley declined to 73% from 74%, while oats slipped to 55% from 60%. Canola was rated 57% good to excellent, down from 60% two weeks earlier. Dry peas also weakened, falling to 76% from 79%.
Crop staging remains behind normal in many areas. Spring cereals range from mid-tillering to early booting, with most of the crop in the stem elongation stage. That is behind the five- and 10-year averages, when spring cereals are typically closer to early booting. Canola development is also lagging. About 49% of the crop has reached the rosette stage, below the five-year average of 55% and the 10-year average of 56%. Only 7% of canola was flowering, well behind the five-year average of 21%.
Dry peas are somewhat more advanced, with 70% of the crop at the seven- to 12-node stage, above both the five- and 10-year averages. However, flowering remains behind normal at 14%, compared with the five-year average of 28%.
Surface soil moisture remains well above average. Provincially, 79% of surface moisture was rated good to excellent, compared with the five-year average of 58% and the 10-year average of 65%. However, 16% was rated excessive, led by 55% in the North West and 25% in the North East.
Region One: South (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
• Cool and wet weather conditions continue to be considered beneficial for crop conditions in most areas.
• Spring cereal development is in early-to-mid booting, fall cereal development is at late flowering to early milk development, most canola and mustard development is at the rosette stage with limited flowering beginning, and pulse crops are mainly within the 7-12 node stage with flowering noted in some areas.
• Sub-surface moisture is 2 per cent poor, 22 per cent fair, 51 per cent good, 23 per cent excellent, and 3 per cent excessive. • Conditions of tame hay are reported as 2 per cent poor, 22 per cent fair, 72 per cent good, and 4 per cent excellent.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
• Warmer temperatures are helping crop progress in between precipitation events.
• All spring cereals are nearly complete with stem elongation, fall cereals have started flowering, canola development is mainly at the rosette stage with minor flowering reported, and almost all pulse crops are at the 7-12 node stage with flowering just beginning in some areas.
• Sub-surface moisture is 1 per cent poor, 3 per cent fair, 53 per cent good, 38 per cent excellent, and 6 per cent excessive. • Conditions of tame hay are reported as 0 per cent poor, 4 per cent fair, 74 per cent good, and 22 per cent excellent.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
• Farm operations are continuing between rainfall events despite limited opportunities for fields to dry.
• Crop development for spring cereals ranges between early-to-mid stem elongation, fall cereals are in early flowering, canola is in the 4-6 leaf stage, and pea crops are mainly in the 7-12 node stage with a minority remaining at 4-6 nodes.
• Sub-surface moisture is 2 per cent poor, 5 per cent fair, 29 per cent good, 50 per cent excellent, and 15 per cent excessive. • Conditions of tame hay are reported as 0 per cent poor, 29 per cent fair, 44 per cent good, and 28 per cent excellent.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
• Crop development is progressing slower in high moisture areas, with farm operations continuing as weather permits.
• Spring cereals are in early stem elongation, fall cereals are in late flowering, canola is a near even split between the 4-6 leaf stage and the rosette stage, and pea crops are mainly at the 7-12 node stage with some areas starting to flower.
• Sub-surface moisture is 0 per cent poor, 0 per cent fair, 24 per cent good, 50 per cent excellent, and 27 per cent excessive. • Conditions of tame hay are reported as 1 per cent poor, 22 per cent fair, 58 per cent good, and 20 per cent excellent.
Region Five: Peace (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
• Farm operations are continuing despite frequent rainstorms, which is maintaining high field moisture.
• Development of spring cereals is at mid-tillering, fall cereals are at late tillering, canola is a near even split between 4-6 leaf and rosette, and similarly pea crops are near half at both the 4-6 node and 7-12 node stage.
• Sub-surface moisture is 0 per cent poor, 3 per cent fair, 50 per cent good, 47 per cent excellent, and 0 per cent excessive. • Conditions of tame hay are reported as 10 per cent poor, 37 per cent fair, 44 per cent good, and 9 per cent excellent.
