Alberta’s major crop conditions improved modestly over the past week, with 69% rated good to excellent as of Tuesday, up 1 percentage point from 68% a week earlier and slightly above the 5-year average of 68%.
The Central Region recorded the strongest major crop conditions (spring wheat, barley, oats, canola, and peas) and the largest weekly improvement. The region had 87% of major crops rated good to excellent, up 6 percentage points from 81% the previous week. That was also well above its 5-year average of 72% and 10-year average of 76%.
The South improved 2 points to 84% good to excellent, compared with 82% a week earlier. The North West rose 3 points to 41%, but remained the lowest-rated region and well below its 5-year average of 71% and 10-year average of 73%.
Conditions declined in the North East and Peace regions. The North East slipped 1 point to 59% good to excellent, while the Peace dropped 5 points to 62%.
Provincially, 72% of spring wheat, 74% of barley, 57% of oats, 63% of canola and 79% of dry peas were rated good to excellent. Central Alberta led most individual crop ratings, including spring wheat at 90%, barley at 91% and dry peas at 93%.
Spring cereals are generally finishing tillering and entering stem elongation, leaving development marginally behind normal. Crops are most advanced in the South, where flag leaves are visible on many spring cereals, and slowest in the Peace Region.
Frequent rain and wind continue to disrupt spraying, with some fields too wet to support equipment. Weed and disease pressures are increasing as producers wait for suitable application windows.
Provincial surface soil moisture was rated 75% good to excellent, above the 5-year average of 65% and 10-year average of 69%. Regional ratings ranged from 47% in the North West to 87% in central Alberta.
Region One: South (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
• Cool weather has slowed development, and some hail damage has been reported in the central and eastern parts of the region.
• Many parts of the region need more warm weather for canola and legumes to catch up in development. Some areas report that although recent moisture is near normal when compared to historical averages, soil moisture is being used up and more moisture will be needed to sustain crop growth.
• Tame hay growth conditions (5-year average) are rated as 4 (20) per cent poor, 22 (42) per cent fair, 72 (36) per cent good, and 2 (3) per cent excellent.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
• Crops are advancing well, though there is yellowing in cereals and legumes as cold and wet weather has continued. There was also some hail reported in the southern part of the region.
• Tame hay growth conditions (5-year average) are rated as 0 (15) per cent poor, 13 (27) per cent fair, 82 (46) per cent good, and 5 (13) per cent excellent.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
• The weekend showers led to excessive surface soil moisture to be rated at 22 per cent, up from 13 per cent last week.
• There is good emergence and establishment where drainage is adequate, though crop development varies depending on local rainfall, seeding date and field condition. On average, spring cereals are staging at seven tillers, while historically at early stem elongation by this time of year.
• Tame hay growth conditions (5-year average) are rated as 1 (17) per cent poor, 5 (38) per cent fair, 65 (42) per cent good, and 30 (4) per cent excellent.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
• While a few days of warmth have improved crop conditions rated good-to-excellent by 3 per cent, significant rainfall of up to 6 inches around the region continues to put significant moisture stress on crops. Large areas of standing water, high surface saturation and localized flooding are present in many areas as excessive surface and sub-surface soil moisture increased week-over-week from 25 to 53 per cent and 5 to 21 per cent, respectively.
• Tame hay growth conditions (5-year average) are rated as 1 (6) per cent poor, 23 (29) per cent fair, 51 (50) per cent good, and 25 (15) per cent excellent.
Region Five: Peace (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
• Many parts of the region reported cool and moist conditions with light rain throughout last week, which is causing some yellowing in crops due to stress.
• Tame hay growth conditions (5-year average) are rated as 9 (13) per cent poor, 35 (38) per cent fair, 42 (43) per cent good, and 14 (6) per cent excellent.
