Alberta Crop Report: June 9

Sub-surface soil moisture conditions (below six inches) are currently rated 43 per cent poor, 38 per cent fair, 19 per cent good with none rated as excellent or excessive.

A provincial state of emergency was declared on May 6 due to the number of wildfires in the province, and ended on June 3. The wildfire situation in the northern areas of the province remains serious.

Officials say that seeding in the province is now essentially 100 per cent complete, with the exception of a handful of acres designated for feed crops. Emergence is ahead of the historical average with major crops now reported as 93 per cent up and out of the ground compared to the five and 10-year averages of 84 and 86 per cent respectively. This is an increase of 16 per cent over last week’s report. Most annual crops are so far withstanding the dry conditions reasonably well with some cases of uneven germination reported due to lack of moisture. The first crop condition ratings of the year will commence next week.

The growing season precipitation has been lower than normal and resulted in nearly all of the South and Central regions, as well as portions of North East, North West and Peace region experiencing drier than normal conditions. Survey respondents reported continuing hot, dry windy weather across much of the province this past week, with only a few localized showers.

Surface soil moisture ratings across the province declined from last week’s ratings with more acres now rated as poor. Currently, surface soil moisture is rated 31 per cent poor, 39 per cent fair, 26 per cent good, four per cent excellent with next to none having excess surface soil moisture. Sub-surface soil moisture ratings across the province are at 29 per cent poor, 36 per cent fair, 31 per cent good, four per cent excellent and none excessive. Many crops are reliant on timely rainfall for their daily moisture needs.

Tame hay ratings have deteriorated from last week’s 60 per cent poor to fair compared to this week’s ratings of 69 per cent poor to fair. Peace region is reported to be in the best shape with 43 per cent rated good and 10 per cent rated as excellent condition, followed by North East region with 33 per cent rated as good and none excellent. Central region has the lowest ratings in the province at 23 per cent rated as good or excellent.

Pasture ratings for the province are somewhat better than hay and reported as one per cent excellent, 35 per cent good, 35 per cent fair and 30 per cent poor. Survey respondents indicate that forage crops are feeling the full effects of the dry, hot, and windy conditions with stunted growth and some grasses showing signs of yellowing off. First-cut hay production is anticipated to start earlier and be lower than normal as alfalfa is already starting to flower and grasses are heading out in many areas.

by rdnewsNOW staff

Alberta Crop Report: June 9

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