(rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Conditions As Of June 20, 2023

Alberta Crop Report: June 23

Jun 26, 2023 | 1:16 PM

Crop conditions improved 18 per cent from last week and are now rated 40 per cent good to excellent, but 35 per cent behind the 10-year average.

That according to the latest Alberta Crop Report from AFSC and the Government of Alberta.

Officials say crop development is reported to be mostly in stem elongation for cereals. Some wheat is reported to be heading out prematurely and early canola is starting to bolt. The eastern half of the region is still challenged by dry conditions and there are reports of poor canola emergence.

Precipitation varied across the region as the west part received up to 127 mm while the east received little. Regionally, surface soil conditions rated good to excellent increased 27 per cent and sub-surface soil moisture conditions increased 24 per cent. Surface soil moisture is now rated at (sub-surface soil moisture ratings shown in brackets) 21 (20) per cent poor, 32 (39) per cent fair, 23 (20) per cent good and 23 (22) per cent excellent, with 2 (0) per cent excessive.

Officials further note that pasture and tame hay growth may be revitalized in some areas with the moisture, but the recent rains may be too late for some fields to recover. Conditions decreased 11 and 8 per cent, respectively, and are currently the poorest in the province. Pasture is rated at (tame hay conditions in brackets) 37 (48) per cent poor, 37 (31) per cent fair, 22 (14) per cent good, and 4 (8) per cent excellent.

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Meanwhile, precipitation ranging from 0 to more than 175 mm across the province has substantially improved surface soil moisture conditions in most regions. As of June 13, surface soil moisture rated good to excellent in the North West and Central Regions was 17 and 19 per cent, respectively. After localized showers in these regions, conditions rated good to excellent in the North West and Central Regions increased by 68 and 27 per cent, respectively.

A big improvement was also seen in the North East Region, which improved by 57 per cent. However, some areas in the Central and North West reported excessive moisture with standing water in some fields. Additionally, previous very dry areas across the northern Peace Region along with parts of the Southern Region and eastern portions of the Central Region received little or no rain and remain in need of moisture.

Crop conditions improved 9 per cent provincially since June 13 and at 50 per cent good to excellent, are currently 28 per cent and 26 per cent behind the 5- and 10-year average, respectively. Crop conditions improved in all regions, with substantial gains reported for the Central and North West Regions. However, crop conditions are still 25-42 per cent below the 5-year average in the South, Central, North East and North West and 2 per cent below the 5-year average (1 per cent ahead of the 10-year) in the Peace Region.

Following the recent precipitation, warm weather is needed to advance crops. Major cereals are currently, on average, at their 6th node of stem elongation slightly ahead of the 5- and 10-year averages.

Overall, good to excellent rated surface soil moisture conditions rose 29 per cent and sub-surface soil moisture ratings increased 14 per cent over the past week. Overall, surface soil moisture (10-year average in brackets) is rated at 13 (8) per cent poor, 28 (19) per cent fair, 38 (44) per cent good, 19 (26) per cent excellent and 2 (4) rated excessive.

Currently, the North East, North West and Peace Regions’ surface soil moisture is rated above 50 per cent good to excellent. Precipitation was heaviest in the North West which had 70 to more than 175 mm across the region. The South Region saw minimal showers, but northern parts of the region received up to 50 mm.

Currently, sub surface soil moisture (10-year average in brackets) is rated as 20 (8) per cent poor, 35 (23) per cent fair, 32 (46) per cent good, 13 (21) per cent excellent and 0 (3) per cent excessive.

Pasture and hay conditions slightly improved over the past week in some regions but decreased in the South and Central. Provincially, tame hay growth ratings did not change, and pasture growth ratings decreased by 2 per cent. Recent rains may have been too late for some pasture and hay fields that had already progressed faster than normal due to excessive heat and dryness.

Forage growth will come later if adequate heat follows soon in areas that received surplus rain. Tame hay is rated as (10-year average in brackets) 31 (10) per cent poor, 35 (23) per cent fair, 30 (51) per cent good, and 4 (17) per cent excellent. Pasture conditions are rated as (10-year average in brackets) 31 (11) per cent poor, 32 (24) per cent fair, 35 (51) per cent good and 3 (13) per cent excellent.