(rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

By AFSC/Government of Alberta

Conditions As Of July 23, 2024

Alberta Crop Report: July 26

Jul 26, 2024 | 4:30 PM

Major crops rated good to excellent decreased significantly from 62 per cent in central Alberta last week to 32 per cent now.

Cereals are nearing the end of flowering due to heat stress. There is also staging variability depending on when fields were seeded, ranging from booting to dough development.

Some areas of the Central Region experienced small moisture pockets and damaging hail that left sub-surface soil moisture rated as 53 per cent poor, 30 per cent fair, 15 per cent good, 2 per cent excellent and 0 per cent excessive.

Some producers are planning to silage more of their crops due to recent low expectations for a second cut and to ensure feed availability. Pasture is currently rated 33 per cent poor, 23 per cent fair, 45 per cent good and 0 per cent excellent.

After consistent ratings on crop conditions since the middle of June, the recent heat was prolonged enough that major crop conditions significantly declined from 73 per cent good to excellent last week to 55 per cent good to excellent. Current conditions are now rated below the 5- and 10-year average of 57 and 62 per cent good to excellent, respectively.

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After cool temperatures during the beginning of the growing season, the last 30-day average daily mean temperature has been above the long-term normal temperature for most of the province. While rain and marginally cooler temperatures are in the near forecast, the true effects of the prolonged heat and potential positive impacts of rain will be unknown for a few weeks.

Crop staging is only marginally ahead of the historical average as major crops across the province are just nearing the end of flowering. Some spring wheat has started milk development, while oats are still halfway through flowering.

Pasture weed growth is rated moderate for 19 per cent of the province and heavy for 3 per cent. Weed presence is heaviest in the South at 8 per cent heavy growth. Reported pests include grasshopper, particularly on fields near pastures, along with gophers and aphids, and diamondback moths have been observed in sweeps.

Precipitation the past week was sporadic with only a few small areas mostly along the west side of the province receiving up to 30 mm, while most other areas received nothing. The western Peace Region received between 15 and 80 mm. However, the majority of the province still needs precipitation as areas that have experienced excessive moisture are now drying up due to prolonged heat.

Regionally, 40 (49 per cent last week) of surface soil moisture is rated good to excellent in the South Region, 29 (60) per cent in the Central Region, 38 (79) per cent in the North East Region, 22 (59) per cent in the North West Region and 47 (73) per cent in the Peace Region.

Overall, provincial surface soil moisture is rated 35 per cent (61 last week) good to excellent. As crops are in the reproductive stage of their growth, moisture requirements are high. With minimal recent rain, sub-surface moisture has continued to deplete.

Regionally, 31 (45 per cent last week) of subsurface soil moisture is rated good to excellent in the South Region,16 (20) per cent in the Central Region, 41 (63) per cent in the North East Region, 26 (57) per cent in the North West Region and 53 (85) per cent in the Peace Region. Overall, provincial sub-surface soil moisture is rated 30 per cent (47 last week) good to excellent.

Tame hay conditions have been slowly declining since the beginning of July but experienced a significant decrease in growth rated good to excellent since last report. Currently, provincial tame hay is rated 43 per cent good to excellent, down from last week’s 62 per cent. This is also below the 5- and 10-year average of 55 per cent good to excellent.

Though many regions report adequate first cut yields, many reports indicate second cut growth is unable to regenerate in the excessive heat and lack of moisture. There are multiple reports of producers silaging heat damaged crops to ensure feed availability.

Regionally, 58 (66 per cent last week) of tame hay is rated good to excellent in the South Region, 30 (43) per cent in the Central Region, 36 (73) per cent inn the North East Region, 35 (66) per cent in the North West Region and 64 (71) per cent in the Peace Region. Pasture conditions have also decreased over the week as the hot weather has made regrowth from grazing minimal and current growth start to brown.

Regionally, 55 (61 per cent last week) of pasture is rated good to excellent in the South Region, 45 (56) per cent in the Central Region, 48 (77) per cent in the North East Region, 28 (67) per cent in the North West Region and 64 (71) per cent in the Peace Region. Overall, provincial pasture is rated 49 per cent (63 last week) good to excellent.

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