Canola Field (file photo)

By Sheldon Spackman

Varied Conditions

A look at the latest crop conditions

Jun 25, 2021 | 4:40 PM

Crops are developing nicely in most areas of central Alberta, but conditions vary across the region.

That according to officials with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry in partnership with Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC), which note that counties in the north and west parts of the region received good moisture to keep crops and forages healthy and green, while dry weather persists in the southern and eastern counties.

With extreme heat in the forecast, moisture is said to be needed to maintain yield. Officials say spraying is about to finish and first cut haying has started. Meantime, hail was reported in some areas with minor to heavy damage, depending on the area.

About 71 of crops in the region are rated in good condition with 15 per cent rated as excellent. Most spring seeded cereals are at the end of the tillering stage of development, slightly behind normal.

Soil moisture reserves are variable across the region. Sub-surface soil moisture is rated at 10 per cent poor, 15 per cent fair, 49 per cent good and 25 per cent excellent, with 1 per cent excessive.

amends not made: lacombe pride

Campaign on to reinstate Lacombe-Ponoka MLA booted from UCP caucus for transphobic comments

1h ago

"overreach"

Red Deer and Red Deer County mayors perplexed over rationale of proposed Bill 20

5h ago

Phase 2 upgrades at Dickson Dam to begin this year

7h ago

Pasture growing conditions (tame hay shown in parentheses) are reported as 8 (6) per cent poor, 18 (15) per cent fair, 61 (59) per cent good and 13 (20) per cent excellent.

In the Central Region, soil moisture levels range from 20-40 mm of water available for plant growth in the southern parts of the region to 120-140 mm in the northern and western areas.

Provincially, 80 per cent of crops are rated in good or excellent condition, slightly above the 5-year average of 78 per cent and the 10-year average of 75 per cent. Regional growing condition ratings dropped from a week ago in all regions but the North East Region, where it remained unchanged, and the Peace Region, where it improved by three per cent.

Compared to the regional 5-year averages, crop conditions are better than normal in all regions, except for the South, where crops are under critical moisture stress.

Hay and pasture growing conditions remain variable across the province. Forages are in good condition in most areas of the Central, North East and North West Regions, while in the South Region they are under stress from dry conditions.

Pasture and tame hay growing conditions for the Peace Region improved from a week ago, but still are not in good shape. Lack of moisture coupled with hot temperatures in the forecast could be detrimental.

Provincial pasture conditions (tame hay conditions shown in brackets) are now reported as 9 (10) per cent poor, 34 (31) per cent fair, 51 (51) per cent good and 6 (8) per cent excellent.