Crop Report: May 13, 2022

Across the province, seeding progress for the major crops is now 20 per cent complete across Alberta, only modestly behind the five-year average of 22 per cent and up from nine per cent this time last week. In general, seeding is ahead of the five-year average in the South and Central regions, and behind the five-year average in the North East, North West and Peace regions.

In general, spring wheat, barley, and peas are seeing timely seeding progress and are in line with five-year averages, while oats and canola have significantly lower completion and are marginally behind their respective five-year averages.

Emergence in the South region is said to be in line with historical expectations at 10 per cent, while in Central and northern regions, there is minimal or no emergence reported, which is modestly behind normal.

Officials note, however, that dry conditions and cold temperatures continue to dominate crop reporters’ discussions throughout much of the province. Modest and localized rains were reported in the last week in many areas of the province, but not the meaningful precipitation needed. Central and northern regions have received near normal precipitation in the last 30 days, but still have significant soil moisture deficits relative to normal.

Surface soil moisture continues to rank extremely poor and is said to be of high concern in the South. Central and northern regions are all roughly 50 per cent poor to fair, whereas the Peace continues to be the only region in a strong soil moisture position with 89 per cent rated good or excellent. Province-wide 58 per cent of surface moisture and 58 per cent of subsoil moisture is rated as poor or fair and rains throughout the growing season are desperately needed in most areas except the Peace.

Nearly the entirety of the province, however, is reporting well-below normal spring temperatures at a frequency that occurs largely only once in six to 25 years, say report officials. Haylands are rated at 71 per cent poor or fair. With very low feed reserves reported throughout the province, there is significant need for precipitation and heat as current-year forage production is required for this winter’s feed supply and herd retention.

Pasture ratings are at 74 per cent poor or fair across the province and are commonly being reported as heavily grazed in 2021. The cold spring temperatures and low feed inventories are acknowledged as not providing the recovery and early growth needed.

Click here to see the full report.

by rdnewsNOW Staff

Crop Report: May 13, 2022

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