Alberta major crop condition ratings slipped slightly during the past week, as frequent rainfall and excess moisture continued to offset the benefits of strong provincial moisture reserves.
Friday’s weekly crop report showed about 64% of major crops (spring wheat, oats, barley, canola and peas) were in good-to-excellent condition as of Tuesday, down from nearly 66% a week earlier. The latest rating remained above the five-year average of 61%, but below the 10-year average of 69%.
Conditions varied sharply by region. The South led the province at 85% good to excellent, followed by the Central region at 81%. Ratings were lower in the Peace region at 58% and the North East at 50%, while the North West trailed at only 29%.
Among individual crops, dry peas had the strongest provincial rating at 74% good to excellent. Barley followed at 70%, spring wheat at 68%, canola at 56% and oats at 50%. Regional differences were pronounced, particularly in the North West, where only 19% of dry peas, 20% of canola and 30% of barley were rated good to excellent.
Frequent soaking rains kept moisture supplies well above seasonal norms across much of Alberta. Provincial surface soil moisture was rated 80% good to excellent, compared with the five-year average of 54% and the 10-year average of 64%.
However, excessive moisture remained a concern in northern areas. Surface soil moisture was rated excessive on 45% of land in the North West and 23% in the North East, compared with a provincial average of 14%. By contrast, excessive moisture covered only 3% of the South and 9% of the Central region.
Crop development continued, but cool conditions slowed advancement in some areas. Spring wheat and barley were generally in the middle boot stage, behind normal progress, while oats averaged late stem elongation. Warmer areas reported faster development.
Region One: South (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
• Rain showers are maintaining moisture while warmer temperatures allow crops to catch up.
• Major cereal crops development is varying from early-to-middle of head emergence.
• Sub-surface moisture is 2 per cent poor, 25 per cent fair, 55 per cent good, 17 per cent excellent, and 1 per cent excessive. • Conditions of tame hay are reported as 2 per cent poor, 20 per cent fair, 74 per cent good, and 4 per cent excellent.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
• Warm temperatures and good moisture are causing crops to progress quickly. These conditions also pose challenges for spraying crops.
• Spring wheat, barley and oats are all in mid-to-late booting.
• Sub-surface moisture is 0 per cent poor, 3 per cent fair, 51 per cent good, 39 per cent excellent, and 7 per cent excessive. • Conditions of tame hay are reported as 0 per cent poor, 4 per cent fair, 73 per cent good, and 22 per cent excellent.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
• Excess water continues to slow crop progress and limit crop spraying opportunities.
• Spring wheat is in the early booting stage, with barley and oats in the later stages of stem elongation.
• Sub-surface moisture is 2 per cent poor, 5 per cent fair, 29 per cent good, 53 per cent excellent, and 11 per cent excessive. • Conditions of tame hay are reported as 0 per cent poor, 12 per cent fair, 67 per cent good, and 22 per cent excellent.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
• Cool and wet conditions are slowing crop progress and limiting windows for crop spraying.
• Major cereal crops have developed to the later stages of stem elongation.
• Sub-surface moisture is 0 per cent poor, 0 per cent fair, 27 per cent good, 63 per cent excellent, and 10 per cent excessive. • Conditions of tame hay are reported as 0 per cent poor, 23 per cent fair, 53 per cent good, and 24 per cent excellent.
Region Five: Peace (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
• Conditions remain cool and wet.
• All major cereals are in the later stages of stem elongation.
• Sub-surface moisture is 1 per cent poor, 8 per cent fair, 48 per cent good, 44 per cent excellent, and 0 per cent excessive. • Conditions of tame hay are reported as 7 per cent poor, 32 per cent fair, 46 per cent good, and 15 per cent excellent.
