Alberta Crop Report: July 24

Pasture growth conditions (5-year average) are rated as 0 (26) per cent poor, 10 (26) per cent fair, 82 (41) per cent good, and 8 (7) per cent excellent.

Elsewhere, warm temperatures across the province this week accelerated crop growth, though major cereals remain behind historical averages.

Provincially, major spring cereals (spring wheat, barley and oats) are in the early stages of flowering, compared to their 5- and 10-year average of early milk development and late flowering. Historically, cereal development across the province has ranged from mid-flowering to just entering milk development.

Due to the wet and cool conditions experienced early in the growing season, staging currently ranges from mid-head emergence in the Peace to early milk development in the South.

Many pea and canola acres are reported to be nearing the completion of flowering and beginning pod development.

Provincial major crop conditions decreased by one per cent to 63 per cent good-to-excellent. This is 2 per cent below last year’s rating but 16 and 4 per cent above the 5- and 10-year average, respectively.

The highest ratings regionally (5-year average) are reported in the South Region at 85 (48) per cent good-to-excellent and the Central Region at 81 (48) per cent good-to-excellent. This is largely due to the continued excess precipitation experienced in the northern half of the province.

Major crops rated good-to-excellent in the Peace Region are currently 54 (38) per cent, followed by the North East at 48 (52) per cent and the North West at 31 (45) per cent.

While the average daily mean temperature was above the long-term normal across the province, sporadic showers reported throughout the North West and North East regions continued to put stress on crops in regions already experiencing high soil moisture. The South Region has now experienced consecutive hot weeks and will need supplemental showers to support crop development.

Hail was reported in each region, though damage was variable.

Provincial surface soil (0-6”) moisture rated as good-to-excellent is reported at 68 per cent, down 4 per cent from last week but remains above the 5- and 10-year averages of 39 and 50 per cent. The North West Region reported an increase in excessive soil moisture due to continued rainfall over the last week, resulting in decreased area rated in good-to-excellent condition. Whereas, the Peace, Central and South regions received minimal rainfall (or not enough to combat the drying heat) and reported increases in surface soil moisture rated as poor-to-fair. The North East Region, while hot and dry throughout the week, received enough precipitation on the weekend to keep the excessive surface soil moisture rating at 18 per cent. Disease in areas with excess soil moisture continues to be a concern.

Sub-surface soil moisture decreased from 78 per cent good-to-excellent to 73 per cent, provincially. This remains above the 5- and 10-year average of 33 and 47 per cent. While week-over-week decreases ranging from one per cent in the Peace Region to seven per cent in the South Region were reported, each region’s good-to-excellent rating continues to be above their historical averages.

Regional sub-surface soil moisture (5-year average) is rated as 49 (23) per cent in the South, 85 (38) per cent in Central, 80 (38) per cent in the North East, 85 (33) per cent in the North West and 90 (41) per cent in the Peace.

Spring wheat soil moisture reserves relative to long-term normal to a depth of 120 cm, show the South and Central regions between low and near normal, while the North West and North East regions are between normal and extremely high. The Peace Region is reported to have normal to very low moisture reserves in the northern half of the region, while the south part of the region has pockets of very high moisture reserves.

Pasture growth conditions decreased 3 per cent since last week and are now rated 76 per cent good-to-excellent, provincially. This remains significantly over the 5- and 10-year average of 38 and 47 per cent.

Since last week, conditions were stable in the North West, North East and Peace with continued rain, though the South and Central regions saw decreases of 4 and 6 per cent due to warm weather and little rain.

Pasture growth conditions are currently rated (5-year average) as 62 (33) per cent good-to-excellent in the South, 90 (48) per cent in Central, 90 (36) per cent in the North East, 76 (28) per cent in the North West and 53 (35) per cent in the Peace Region.

Tame hay is currently rated 77 per cent good-to-excellent, down from 79 per cent last week. This rating remains about the 5- and 10-year average of 34 and 47 per cent good-to-excellent. Tame hay ratings regionally (5-year average) are reported as 66 (32) per cent good-to-excellent in the South, 91 (41) per cent in the Central Region, 89 (26) per cent in the North East, 78 (34) per cent in the North West and 58 (36) per cent in the Peace Region.

While the South Region and parts of Central will need significant rain to promote continued growth of hay crops, the rest of the province is challenged by frequent rains limiting the window to cut and bale dry quality hay. This could encourage an increase in silage as an alternative to dry baling.

by AFSC/Government of Alberta

Alberta Crop Report: July 24

What's Trending