Alberta crop conditions remain generally favourable, although a widening moisture divide continues to separate drier areas in the south and central regions from much wetter conditions farther north.
The weekly provincial crop report on Friday pegged the condition of major crops (spring wheat, oats, barley, canola, and peas) at 58% good to excellent as of Tuesday, down from 60% a week earlier. The current rating remained well above the five-year average of 43% and above the 10-year average of 54%.
The strongest crop conditions were reported in the South, where 77% of major crops were rated good to excellent, despite declining soil moisture. Central Alberta followed at 69%, while ratings were much weaker in the North East at 47%, the Peace at 48% and the North West at 38%.
Among individual crops, spring wheat was rated 64% good to excellent provincially, barley 63%, dry peas 63%, canola 50% and oats 49%.
Crop development remained behind normal, with spring wheat, barley and oats less advanced than their five- and 10-year averages. Most cereals ranged from early milk to early dough stages, the report said.
Moisture conditions varied sharply across the province. Surface soil moisture was rated 46% good to excellent overall, above the five-year average of 40% but slightly below the 10-year average of 48%.
In the South, 39% of surface soil moisture was rated poor and another 35% fair, reflecting continuing dryness. Central Alberta also showed increasing moisture stress, with 19% rated poor and 39% fair.
Conditions were dramatically wetter in northern areas. Excessive surface moisture was reported on 21% of land in the North East, 38% in the North West and 5% in the Peace region.
Region One: South (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
• Spring wheat, barley and oats are reported to be mainly at the early stages of dough development.
• Crop conditions for major crops are currently rated as 3 per cent poor, 20 per cent fair, 69 per cent good and 8 per cent excellent.
• Sub-surface moisture is 33 per cent poor, 42 per cent fair, 22 per cent good, 3 per cent excellent, and 0 per cent excessive.
• Conditions of tame hay are reported as 17 per cent poor, 40 per cent fair, 44 per cent good, and 0 per cent excellent.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
• Spring cereals have reached early-to-late milk development. Crop conditions for major crops are currently rated as 6 per cent poor, 25 per cent fair, 65 per cent good and 5 per cent excellent.
• Sub-surface moisture is 10 per cent poor, 40 per cent fair, 41 per cent good, 7 per cent excellent, and 2 per cent excessive.
• Tame hay conditions are reported as 6 per cent poor, 39 per cent fair, 56 per cent good, and 0 per cent excellent.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
• Spring wheat, barley and oats are reported to be mainly at the early stages of milk development.
• Crop conditions for major crops are currently rated as 17 per cent poor, 36 per cent fair, 45 per cent good and 2 per cent excellent.
• Sub-surface moisture is 5 per cent poor, 11 per cent fair, 31 per cent good, 40 per cent excellent, and 13 per cent excessive. • Conditions of tame hay are reported as 0 per cent poor, 44 per cent fair, 33 per cent good, and 23 per cent excellent.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
• Spring wheat, barley and oats are reported to be mainly at the early stages of milk development.
• Major crops conditions are currently rated as 22 per cent poor, 40 per cent fair, 34 per cent good and 4 per cent excellent.
• Sub-surface moisture is 0 per cent poor, 2 per cent fair, 32 per cent good, 54 per cent excellent, and 13 per cent excessive. • Hot weather and scattered showers persist, limiting opportunities for field work and haying. Conditions of tame hay are reported as 0 per cent poor, 24 per cent fair, 53 per cent good, and 23 per cent excellent.
Region Five: Peace (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
• Spring cereals have largely completed flowering and are advancing into the early milk stage. Crop conditions for major crops are currently rated as 15 per cent poor, 37 per cent fair, 35 per cent good and 14 per cent excellent.
• Sub-surface moisture is 0 per cent poor, 11 per cent fair, 50 per cent good, 40 per cent excellent, and 0 per cent excessive. • Tame hay conditions are reported as 11 per cent poor, 35 per cent fair, 45 per cent good, and 10 per cent excellent
