Progress may be lagging in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan, but farmers are getting the 2024 into the ground ahead of schedule in Alberta.
The first crop report of the season on Friday pegged the seeding of all crops in the province at about 18% complete as of Tuesday, ahead of the five- and 10-year averages of almost 12%. Although large parts of Alberta were hit with heavy rain this week, the report said warmer than normal temperatures “provided an opportunity for an early start to the 2024 crop year.” In fact, some seeding began as early as mid-April.
Seeding is most advanced in the South Region, where about 40% of the crops were in the ground, versus the five- and 10-year averages of 33% and 31%. The Peace Region was about 18% done, followed by the Central region at 14%. The North East and North West were at 3% and 4% complete – both still ahead of the five- and 10-year averages.
The durum crop in the province was 47% seeded as of Tuesday, with lentils at 39%, peas at 38%, mustard at 35%, and corn at 32%. The spring wheat crop was 23% planted, along with 19% of the barley and flax, and 14% of the chickpeas. Oats and canola were around 5% planted.
Surface soil moisture in the province was rated 63% good to excellent as of Tuesday, near the five- and 10-year averages of 59% and 65%. In the final crop report for the 2023 growing season in mid-October, soil moisture was only rated about 30% good to excellent.
Reports earlier this week put Manitoba planting at 4% done, 5 points behind average, while Saskatchewan planting, at 12% complete, was lagging the five- and 10-year averages of 23% and 20%.
Region One: South (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
• Seeding progress for all crops (major crops) is 40 (37) per cent complete, compared to the five-year average of 33 (29) per cent.
• Reported sub-surface moisture is 25 per cent poor, 39 per cent fair, 28 per cent good, 8 per cent excellent, and 0 per cent excessive.
• Reported conditions of fall-seeded crop are 7 per cent poor, 34 per cent fair, 50 per cent good, and 9 per cent excellent.
• Conditions of tame hay are reported as 12 per cent poor, 43 per cent fair, 43 per cent good, and 2 per cent excellent.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
• Seeding progress for all crops (major crops) is 14 (14) per cent complete, compared to the five-year average of 6 (5) per cent.
• Reported sub-surface moisture is 20 per cent poor, 31 per cent fair, 48 per cent good, 2 per cent excellent, and 0 per cent excessive.
• Reported conditions of fall-seeded crop are 3 per cent poor, 20 per cent fair, 72 per cent good, and 5 per cent excellent.
• Conditions of tame hay are reported as 14 per cent poor, 37 per cent fair, 49 per cent good, and 0 per cent excellent.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
• Seeding progress for all crops (major crops) is 3 (3) per cent complete, compared to the five-year average of 1 (1) per cent.
• Reported sub-surface moisture is 13 per cent poor, 24 per cent fair, 59 per cent good, 4 per cent excellent, and 0 per cent excessive.
• Conditions of tame hay are reported as 21 per cent poor, 61 per cent fair, 16 per cent good, and 2 per cent excellent.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
• Seeding progress for all crops (major crops) is 4 (4) per cent complete, compared to the five-year average of 1 (1) per cent.
• Reported sub-surface moisture is 12 per cent poor, 30 per cent fair, 55 per cent good, 3 per cent excellent, and 0 per cent excessive.
• Conditions of tame hay are reported as 28 per cent poor, 72 per cent fair, 0 per cent good, and 0 per cent excellent.
Region Five: Peace (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
• Seeding progress for all crops (major crops) is 18 (18) per cent complete, compared to the five-year average of 1 (1) per cent.
• Reported sub-surface moisture is 5 per cent poor, 23 per cent fair, 66 per cent good, 6 per cent excellent, and 0 per cent excessive.
• Conditions of tame hay are reported as 25 per cent poor, 59 per cent fair, 15 per cent good, and 0 per cent excellent.
