The planting of major crops in Alberta is expected to be complete in all parts of the province within the next two weeks.
The latest weekly crop report on Friday pegged the seeding of major crops (spring wheat, oats, barley, canola, and dry peas) at 85% complete as of Tuesday. That is up a major 30 points on the week and is 5 points ahead of the five-year average and 3 points better than the 10-year average. Seeding progress in the South and Central regions has now caught up to their respective historical averages, while the North East, North West, and the Peace regions continue to report seeding progress ahead of historical averages.
Across the province, spring wheat and dry pea planting was reported at 93% complete as of Tuesday, followed by barley at 84%, canola at 79% and oats at 73%.
All regions reported rapid emergence of major crops, the report said, with the provincial average at 47%, well above the five-year average of 32% and the 10-year average of 36%.
Survey respondents reported rain across the province near the reporting date of May 23, with observations in the South, Central, and North East regions describing scattered showers while areas of the North West and Peace regions observed significant soaking rainfall. Surface soil moisture across the province was rated 16% poor, 32% fair, 45% good, 7% excellent with less than 1% having excess surface soil moisture.
Region One: South (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
Survey responses indicated limited scattered showers for the week ending May 23.
Dry conditions allowed seeding progress for major crops to advance to 89 per cent, near the 90 per cent five-year historical average.
In-crop spraying is reported to have begun on emerged crops.
Observers have rated fall-seeded crop conditions at nine per cent poor, 39 per cent fair, 41 per cent good and 11 per cent excellent.
Tame hay conditions have eight per cent poor, 44 per cent fair, 47 per cent good and one per cent excellent.
Sub-surface soil moisture conditions (below six inches) are currently rated 24 per cent poor, 27 per cent fair, 43 per cent good and 6 per cent excellent with less than one per cent rated excessive.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
Observers noted that scattered showers over the last week brought much-needed moisture to parts of the Central region.
Seeding was able to progress uninterrupted despite the rainfall, with seeding progress for major crops having advanced to 83 per cent, near the 85 per cent five-year historical average.
In-crop spraying is reported to have begun on emerged crops.
Fall-seeded crop conditions are currently 18 per cent poor, 22 per cent fair and 60 per cent good with none rated excellent.
Tame hay condition ratings for this week are 19 per cent poor, 30 per cent fair, 51 per cent good with none rated excellent.
Sub-surface soil moisture conditions (below six inches) are currently rated 24 per cent poor, 33 per cent fair, 43 per cent good with none rated as excellent or excessive.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
Scattered showers were reported as bringing much-needed moisture to some parts of the North East region.
Seeding progress of major crops advanced to 85 per cent, an increase of 33 per cent over the past week and ahead of the five-year average of 81 per cent.
Fall-seeded crop conditions are currently 17 per cent poor, 24 per cent fair, 59 per cent good with none rated excellent.
Tame hay respondents estimate ratings are 29 per cent poor, 39 per cent fair, 32 per cent good and less than one per cent excellent.
Sub-surface soil moisture conditions (below six inches) are currently rated 18 per cent poor, 42 per cent fair, 41 per cent good with none rated as excellent or excessive.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
Reports of sporadic rains brought much-needed moisture to the region improving ratings for soil moisture, pasture, and tame hay.
Seeding progress on major crops this week is 83 per cent, a 32 per cent increase from last week and well ahead of the five-year average of 68.8 per cent.
Observers have rated fall-seeded crop conditions as 3 per cent poor, 58 per cent fair and 39 per cent good with none rated excellent.
Tame hay conditions are 17 per cent poor, 48 per cent fair and 35 per cent good with no ratings of excellent reported this past week.
Sub-surface soil moisture conditions (below six inches) are currently rated 13 per cent poor, 47 per cent fair, 40 per cent good with none rated as excellent or excessive.
Region Five: Peace (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
Significant rain was reported as ongoing in this region at the time of the survey date, disrupting seeding but improving ratings for soil moisture, pasture, and tame hay.
Seeding progress on major crops advanced to 85 per cent, a 25 per cent increase over last week and significantly ahead of the five-year average of 63 per cent for this region.
Tame hay conditions are reported as 11 per cent poor, 42 per cent fair, and 34 per cent good with 13 per cent rated in excellent condition.
Sub-surface soil moisture conditions (below six inches) are currently rated 6 per cent poor, 27 per cent fair, 49 per cent good and 18 per cent excellent with none rated as excessive.
