With much improved rainfall so far, crops are off to a much better-than-normal start in Alberta this year.
The weekly provincial crop report on Friday showed 73% of all crops rated in good to excellent condition as of Tuesday, well above the five- and 10-year averages of 69% and 70%. Last year’s initial Alberta crop condition rating, released a bit earlier on June 16, pegged all crops at just 43% good to excellent amid overly dry conditions.
This year’s Alberta spring wheat, durum, and barley crops were all rated 76% good to excellent, compared to 42%, 63% and 36%, respectively, the previous year. The oat crop was rated 72% good to excellent, up from 47% last year, while the canola rating was 25 points better at 65%.
Peas and lentils were rated 77% and 83% good to excellent as of Tuesday, well above 53% and 71% a year ago, with mustard and flax at 79% and 84% versus 60% and 58% last year. At 74% good to excellent, the condition of the chickpea crop was a relatively modest 3 points above last year.
Crop conditions in the South, Central, and Peace regions are rated above the average, while the North East is a bit below. Conditions in the North West are in line with the average.
Precipitation continued in the province this past week, with most areas receiving at least 5-10 mm. Areas in the Peace Region, the southwest part of the Central Region, and the northwest part of the South Region had 30-80 mm of precipitation. While some areas still need more rain or are content with current rainfall, the cool month has left crops unable to reach their “full potential”, the report said. Areas in the Peace, North West, and North East regions have reported standing water.
Surface soil moisture across the province is rated 76% good to excellent, compared to 59% and 63% for the five- and 10-year averages.
Currently, crop growth stages of spring cereals are slightly behind in all regions except for the Peace, which is significantly ahead.
Region One: South (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
• Crops are progressing slower than normal due to cool weather and wind. The majority of spring cereals have entered stem elongation with first node detected though growth stages are widespread across the region.
• While some areas have not received much rain in the past week and still need more moisture, some areas received an inch of rain as well as snow and hail that did minimal damage. Surface soil moisture (sub surface) was rated as 3 (8) per cent poor, 30 (40) per cent fair, 55 (46) per cent good, 12 (7) per cent excellent, and 0 (0) per cent excessive.
• Pasture and tame hay in the south are rated higher than historic averages, though some areas are still recovering from previously thin years. Some grass is heading out and alfalfa is flowering.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
• Re-seeding was reported in several areas of the region due to wind erosion on hills. Spring cereals on average have four tillers, on track with the 5-year average and 54 per cent broadleaves are in 1-3 node stage ahead of the 5-year average of 40 per cent.
• Frost was reported around the region with some areas also reporting hail. Time will tell the effects of these events on crop health.
• Farmers have had to spray in the evening or during the night to avoid winds.
• Precipitation was welcome to help stabilize moisture conditions, but crop growth has slowed as a result of cool wet days. Surface soil moisture (sub surface) was rated as 4 (12) per cent poor, 17 (33) per cent fair, 77 (53) per cent good, 3 (1) per cent excellent, and 0 (0) per cent excessive.
• Some dairy operations have started silaging or baling first cut and many other farms will start cutting soon.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
• Cool and wet weather has delayed crop growth around the region. Spring cereals are slightly below the 5-year average for growth stage and on average have 2 tillers. Broadleaf crops are marginally ahead of their 5-year average growth stages.
• Spraying progress has been slow due to wind and rain. When farmers can spray, ruts are being left in the field due to soft ground.
• Excessive rainfall has resulted in standing water in some areas and therefore unseeded acres. Surface soil moisture (sub surface) was rated as 4 (10) per cent poor, 10 (19) per cent fair, 67 (57) per cent good, 18 (13) per cent excellent, and 1 (1) per cent excessive.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
• Growth staging variability is reported due to cool weather causing delays in crop growth. Spring cereals are just entering tillering, slightly behind their 5-year average. Broadleaves (canola and dry peas) are behind their historical node staging as the are currently 38 per cent in 4-6 node compared to the 5-year average of 53 per cent.
• Some reports of flea beetle damage on canola.
• Multiple days of rain have resulted in standing water and unseeded acres. There were also reports of frost and hail. Surface soil moisture (sub surface) was rated as 0 (7) per cent poor, 11 (22) per cent fair, 56 (47) per cent good, 26 (24) per cent excellent, and 7 (0) per cent excessive.
• Some dairy farms have started silaging and baling first cut hay.
Region Five: Peace (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
• Some areas in the region reported only 5 mm of rain over the week while others reported up to 80 mm. Standing water and excessive moisture is already causing yellow spots in fields. Hail was also reported in parts of the region. Surface soil moisture (sub surface) was rated as 2 (2) per cent poor, 6 (7) per cent fair, 31 (34) per cent good, 42 (40) per cent excellent, and 19 (17) per cent excessive.
• The rain over that pas week has accelerated crop growth but also weed growth. Spring cereals on average currently have 6 tillers ahead of their 5-year average for this time of year of nine or more leaves unfolded and just preparing to enter tillering.
• Hay that had a slow start to the season due to dry conditions has improved due to rains, but many thin areas are being taken over by weed growth.
• Spraying progress has been slow due to the consistent rain.
