About 60 per cent of acres now seeded in central Alberta

About 10 per cent of seeded acres have now emerged, on par with the 5-year average. Spring cereals are mostly in the germination stage, while fall seeded crops are in the seedling stage of development.

Fall seeded crops are rated as 5 per cent poor, 32 per cent fair, 59 per cent good and 4 per cent excellent.

Surface soil moisture is rated at 20 per cent poor, 36 per cent fair, 39 per cent good and 5 per cent excellent.

Throughout Alberta, precipitation over the past week has been variable across the province, with many areas receiving less than one millimetre of rain, especially in the South Region which is said to be in desperate need of moisture. Rain this week is expected to help to moderate dry conditions. However, timely precipitation will still be needed in the coming weeks to sustain plant growth, according to officials.

The below seasonal temperatures for the next week are also anticipated to minimize water evaporation and plant moisture demand, but lead to slower growth.

Over the past week, seeding progress advanced by 26 per cent provincially. As of May 17, about 49 per cent of all crops have been seeded, below the 5-year average of 55 per cent, and 10-year average of 61 per cent.

Regionally, seeding progress is ahead of the 5-year average for the South and Central Regions, but below average in the North East, North West and Peace Regions. Among regions, the Central Region reported the most progress over the past week at 36 per cent, followed by the North East, South and North West Regions with 34, 24 and 19 per cent progress, respectively. Seeding progress in the Peace Region advanced only two per cent, officials say.

Relative to long term normal, growing season precipitation to date (April 1 to May 17, 2022) has been near normal in most parts of the Central, North East and North West Regions, low in the South Region and the southern parts of the Central Region, and high to extremely high in the Peace. As a result, compared to the long-term normal, soil moisture is moderately low to very low in all regions but the Peace Region, where it is high to extremely high.

For the South Region, soil moisture has been driest. Provincially, surface soil moisture (5-year average shown in brackets) is rated as 20 (7) per cent poor, 39 (23) per cent fair, 32 (42) per cent good and 8 (23) per cent excellent, with 1 (5) per cent excessive.

Pasture and tame hay fields have had a slow start in most areas, as cool temperatures and lack of moisture delayed greening-up and growth of pastures.

Warmer weather and near normal precipitation are said to be needed moving forward, to ensure vigorous growth.

Pasture (tame hay ratings shown in brackets) conditions across the province are now reported as 26 (21) per cent poor, 48 (45) per cent fair, 25 (33) per cent good and 1 (1) per cent excellent.

by rdnewsNOW Staff

About 60 per cent of acres now seeded in central Alberta

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