Seeding in central Alberta slightly behind 5-year average

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Pasture growth conditions (tame hay in brackets) in the Central Region are rated highest in the province at 62 (60) per cent good to excellent and only 38 (40) per cent poor to fair.

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Meantime, a provincial state of emergency was declared on May 6, 2023, due to numerous wildfires. Albertans who require assistance can call 310-4455 for wildfire related information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Survey responses from the North West, North East and Peace regions indicated that wildfire activity is affecting some crop and pasture land. Evacuations, road closures and wildfire activity may impact seeding progress over the next week. Hot and dry weather with the occasional light shower continued to provide relatively good conditions for seeding progress and allowed early emergence across the province.

As of May 16, 55 per cent of all crops have been seeded, only 3 per cent behind the 5-year average and 5 per cent behind the 10-year average. Over the past week, seeding progress for major crops advanced 31 per cent.

Regionally, seeding progress is ahead of the 5-year average in the North West and the Peace Region but below average in the South and Central Region. Progress is on par with the 5-year average in the North East.

Among regions, the North East reported the most major crop progress over the past week with 36 per cent, followed by the Central, South, North West, and Peace Region with 30, 29, 29, and 28 per cent, respectively. Emergence is at 15 per cent and 3 per cent ahead of the 5-year average. Adequate and timely rains are still needed to ensure plant growth for crops, as well as for tame hay and pasture.

There has been limited precipitation across the province, while warm temperatures have reduced soil moisture reserves greatly as relative to the long term normal. Over the last week, the South was the only region that experienced improved soil moisture conditions. However, conditions for other regions decreased by 8-14 per cent.

Provincially, soil moisture conditions (sub-surface moisture conditions in brackets) are rated as 17 (18) per cent poor, 34 (36) per cent fair, 45 (43) per cent good, 4 (3) per cent excellent and 0 (0) per cent excessive.

Pasture conditions (tame hay in brackets) are rated as 12 (15) per cent poor, 36 (41) per cent fair, 51 (43) per cent good and 1 (1) per cent excellent. Overall, warm weather and more precipitation are needed to ensure growth.