There were solid gains in Alberta planting progress this past week, even as wildfires reportedly affected some crop and pasturelands in parts of the province.
Friday’s weekly crop report showed an estimated 55% of all Alberta crops seeded as of Tuesday, only 3 and 5 points behind the five- and 10-year averages. The seeding of major crops in the province (spring wheat, durum, oats, barley, canola and peas) advanced 31 points from a week earlier, as hot and dry weather - with the occasional light shower - continued to provide relatively good conditions for planting, the report said.
Survey responses from the North West, North East and Peace regions indicated wildfire activity, with the report noting that the fires, evacuations, and road closures could impact seeding progress over the next week.
Regionally, seeding progress is ahead of the five-year average in the North West and the Peace regions but below average in the South and Central regions. Progress is on par with the average in the North East. Among regions, the North East reported the most planting progress over the past week, jumping 36 points. That was followed by the Central, South, North West, and Peace Region with week-over-week gains of 30, 29, 29, and 28 points, respectively.
Crop emergence was at 15% as of Tuesday, 3 points ahead of average. However, “adequate and timely rains are still needed to ensure plant growth for crops, as well as for tame hay and pasture.”
Among the major crops, dry peas were 80% planted in the province as of Tuesday, followed by spring wheat at 70%, durum at 59%, barley at 54%, canola at 39%, and oats at 35%.
Region One: South (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
• Seeding in the region jumped 29 per cent for major crops from a week previous. However, seeding is 16 per cent behind the 5-year average at 59 per cent complete for all crops.
• The continued dry and hot weather is affecting decisions around seeding and are influenced by germination and flea beetle pressures.
• Light showers were reported, and surface soil moisture ratings increased 7 per cent to 57 per cent good to excellent. The warm and dry weather has affected emergence, which is at 20 per cent, and 9 per cent behind the 5-year average.
• Fall seeded crops were reported as facing poor conditions due to poor soil moisture and some snow smother. These are currently rated as 7 per cent poor, 36 per cent fair, 47 per cent good and 11 per cent excellent.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
• Seeding is 8 per cent behind the 5-year average at 52 per cent complete. The mix of moisture and heat has aided germination, with emergence at 13 per cent and 2 per cent ahead of the 5-year average.
• Rainfall was reported around the region, even delaying seeding for a few days in certain areas. However, surface soil moisture conditions fell from last week 10 per cent to 44 per cent poor to fair and 56 per cent good to excellent.
• Pasture growth conditions (tame hay in brackets) in the Central Region are rated highest in the province at 62 (60) per cent good to excellent and only 38 (40) per cent poor to fair.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
• Seeding advanced 36 per cent in the past week to 51 per cent complete, on track with the 5-year average. Emergence is also 8 per cent ahead of the 5-year average at 14 per cent.
• Forages have been growing despite minimal recent moisture but need more rain to ensure better growth conditions. Cattle producers are running low on feed supply awaiting pastures to green up and grow sufficiently. Pasture (tame hay conditions) are rated as 53 (63) per cent poor to fair and 47 (37) per cent good to excellent.
• The small amount of rain the region has received have quickly soaked into the soil leaving sub-surface soil moisture unchanged from last week. Surface soil moisture conditions decreased 8 per cent to 55 per cent poor to fair and 45 per cent good to excellent.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
Seeding is 6 per cent ahead of the 5-year average at 51 per cent of the crop seeded. Emergence is 9 per cent ahead of the 5-year average at 11 per cent emerged.
• Sporadic and spotty rains with even some hail in the south part of the region was reported, along with the warm temperatures. Surface soil moisture remains the poorest in the province at 84 per cent poor to fair and 16 per cent good to excellent, down 13 per cent from last week.
• Pasture and tame hay conditions are challenged as the hot weather is creating poor conditions across the region. Pasture (tame hay in brackets) is rated as 79 (72) per cent poor to fair and 21 (28) per cent good to excellent.
Region Five: Peace (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
• Producers were able to take advantage of the hot weather to advance seeding progress. The region advanced 28 per cent since May 9, to 60 per cent complete and emergence is 12 per cent ahead of the 5-year average with 15 per cent emerged.
• Soil moisture conditions in the Peace fell 14 per cent with little to no precipitation over the past week. Soil surface moisture conditions (sub-surface soil moisture in brackets) are rated as 52 (56) per cent poor to fair and 48 (44) per cent good to excellent.
• Pasture (tame hay in brackets) is rated as 61 (59) per cent poor to fair and 39 (41) per cent good to excellent.
