Alberta’s major crops were rated 68% good to excellent as of Tuesday, well above the 49% reported a year earlier and modestly higher than the five-year average of 64%, according to the latest provincial crop report on Friday.
However, conditions remained below the 10-year average of 71%.
Crop ratings varied widely by commodity. Spring wheat was rated 72% good to excellent, while durum stood at 78%. Barley conditions were slightly stronger at 74%, but oats were among the weaker crops at 60%.
Canola was rated 60% good to excellent, also placing it near the bottom of the provincial rankings. Dry peas were rated 79%, while lentils reached 84%. Flax was rated 87%. Mustard conditions were comparatively weak at 64%.
Regional conditions were strongest in the South, where 82% of major crops were rated good to excellent, followed by the Central region at 81%. The Peace region stood at 66%, the North East at 60%, and the North West at just 38%.
Compared with last year, ratings improved sharply in the South, Central and Peace regions, while the North East was little changed and the North West deteriorated.
Crop development continues to lag because of cool spring weather. Spring cereals generally ranged from early tillering to the main-shoot and seven-tiller stages, well behind last year, when durum had reached the flag-leaf stage and other cereals were nearing stem elongation.
Broadleaf crops were also less advanced. The share of canola, peas, lentils, chickpeas and mustard at the one- to three-leaf or node stage was 34 percentage points higher than a year ago, while the portion at four to six leaves or nodes was 17 points lower.
Moisture remains highly variable. Timely rainfall has supported crops in much of southern Alberta, while excess moisture in central and northern areas has left standing water, delayed emergence and prevented some fields from being seeded.
Provincially, surface soil moisture was rated 80% good to excellent, compared with only 26% last year and the five-year average of 56%. However, almost 8% of cropland was rated excessively wet.
Post-emergent spraying was running 23% behind last year as wet fields limited access, raising concerns that weed and pest pressure could increase unless warmer, drier weather allows fieldwork to resume.
Region One: South (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
• While crops are progressing well with recent rains and warmth, more hot days are needed to dry out low lying areas causing yellowing of crops. Crop staging is also reported to be very diverse around the region due to varied rain showers.
• Sub-surface soil moisture (5-year average) is rated as 5 (23) per cent poor, 26 (40) per cent fair, 46 (33) per cent good, 19 (4) per cent excellent and 3 (0) per cent excessive.
• Tame hay growth conditions (5-year average) are rated as 4 (20) per cent poor, 32 (36) per cent fair, 64 (41) per cent good, and 1 (2) per cent excellent.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
• Major crops are rated at 81 per cent good-to-excellent, though below average temperatures and high precipitation have slowed growth. Spraying is in full swing, though wet conditions have made it challenging.
• Sub-surface soil moisture (5-year average) is rated as 1 (19) per cent poor, 17 (30) per cent fair, 70 (39) per cent good, 9 (12) per cent excellent and 3 (0) per cent excessive.
• Pasture conditions have continued to improve week-over-week. Tame hay growth conditions (5-year average) are rated as 2 (16) per cent poor, 34 (23) per cent fair, 58 (52) per cent good, and 6 (9) per cent excellent.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
• Sunshine over the weekend helped crops progress but many areas are still struggling with standing water in low areas and will require re-seeding or have been left unseeded. Rain and wind have also slowed herbicide application.
• Sub-surface soil moisture (5-year average) is rated as 2 (16) per cent poor, 8 (28) per cent fair, 33 (43) per cent good, 49 (12) per cent excellent and 9 (0) per cent excessive.
• Tame hay growth conditions (5-year average) are rated as 0 (17) per cent poor, 7 (39) per cent fair, 63 (40) per cent good, and 30 (4) per cent excellent.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
• Standing water in lower areas remains a concern, possibly requiring re-seeding and some acres to be unseeded. High soil moisture also presents concern for disease as spraying has been limited.
• Sub-surface soil moisture (5-year average) is rated as 0 (17) per cent poor, 8 (22) per cent fair, 65 (52) per cent good, 22 (9) per cent excellent and 5 (0) per cent excessive.
• Tame hay growth conditions (5-year average) are rated as 2 (13) per cent poor, 13 (23) per cent fair, 58 (52) per cent good, and 27 (12) per cent excellent.
Region Five: Peace (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
• Major crops are rated as 66 per cent good-to-excellent, well over the reported 40 per cent last year. Cool and wet weather has resulted in some unseeded acres.
• Sub-surface soil moisture (5-year average) is rated as 0 (8) per cent poor, 11 (28) per cent fair, 52 (40) per cent good, 38 (21) per cent excellent and 0 (3) per cent excessive.
• Tame hay growth conditions (5-year average) are rated as 12 (14) per cent poor, 40 (38) per cent fair, 38 (41) per cent good, and 9 (6) per cent excellent.
