(rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

By AFSC/Government of Alberta

Conditions As Of June 25

Alberta Crop Report: June 28

Jun 28, 2024 | 4:50 PM

While the warm weather throughout central Alberta was good for crop development, minimal rain and high winds caused many areas to have declining moisture conditions.

Currently, surface soil (sub-surface soil) moisture is rated as 60 (29) per cent good to excellent. Frost last week hurt some canola plants but overall, there was minor damage.

There have been some reports of some flea beetle, cutworm, and gopher damage.

Haying and silaging has started, some fields are a little behind normal condition, but most are average. Tame hay (5-year average) is rated 65 (66) per cent good to excellent.

Elsewhere, crop conditions rated good to excellent across the province, are 2 per cent above the 5-year average and have increased 2 per cent since last week.

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Conditions increased in the South Region to by 2 per cent to 74 per cent good to excellent, by 2 per cent to 79 per cent good to excellent in the Central Region, by 4 per cent to 80 per cent good to excellent in the Peace Region and by 8 per cent to 69 per cent good to excellent in the North West. Conditions decreased by 1 per cent to 69 per cent good to excellent in the North East Region.

Provincially, major crops (spring wheat, barley and oats) are right on track with the provincial average at the early stages of stem elongation. Precipitation was variable over the week with the majority of it arriving in the form of thunderstorm activity. Areas in the Peace Region received 10-50 mm while some parts of the east-central Peace Region received well over 50 mm. Conditions are quite variable in areas such as the central parts of the North West Region, the western and southeastern portions of the Central Region and throughout much of the Southern Region as they have received less than 1 mm of rain. Forecasted rains will benefit these regions.

Surface soil moisture decreased provincially this week as temperatures warmed up and days were windy across much of the province, especially in the southern half of the province. While this was good for crop development, many areas could use more rain.

Provincial surface soil moisture declined 10 per cent to 66 per cent good to excellent. Regionally, surface soil moisture conditions declined 13 per cent to 53 per cent good to excellent in the South, 20 per cent to 60 per cent good to excellent in the Central, 2 per cent to 84 per cent good to excellent in the North East, and 4 per cent to 77 per cent good to excellent in the North West. Conditions increased by 8 per cent to 81 per cent good to excellent in the Peace Region.

Sub-surface soil moisture fell provincially as well as in the North East and Central Region. Conditions were stable in the South and North West and increased in the Peace Region. While sub-surface soil moisture conditions have been quite stable across the province, they have dropped substantially in the Central Region and are now below the 5-year average.

As plants approach their reproductive stage, water needs will increase and sub-surface soil moisture in the coming weeks will be crucial. Currently, sub-surface soil moisture conditions ( 5- year average) are rated as 54 (60) per cent good to excellent provincially, 51 (41) per cent good to excellent in the South Region, 29 (64) per cent good to excellent in the Central Region, 68 (74) per cent good to excellent in the North East Region, 70 (72) per cent good to excellent in the North West Region and 85 (70) per cent good to excellent in the Peace Region.

On average, pasture and tame hay ratings are strong due to growing season rains and recent warm weather. The south west portion of the South Region is in need of moisture to aid forage growth. Pasture conditions mostly decreased around the province but by no more than 10 per cent and are still rated above their 5- and 10-year average.

Currently, pasture (last week’s condition) is rated 70 (75) per cent good to excellent provincially, 63 (68) per cent good to excellent in the South, 71 (80) per cent good to excellent in the Central Region, 78 (77) per cent good to excellent in the North East, 82 (84) per cent good to excellent in the North West and 72 (70) per cent good to excellent in the Peace.

Tame hay (last week’s condition) is rated as 71 (76) per cent good to excellent provincially, 64 (69) per cent good to excellent in the South, 65 (81) per cent good to excellent in the Central Region, 73 (70) per cent good to excellent in the North East, 83 (85) per cent good to excellent in the North West and 72 (69) per cent good to excellent in the Peace.

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