Warm temperatures, good moisture causing crops to progress quickly in central Alberta

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Conditions of tame hay are reported as 0 per cent poor, 4 per cent fair, 73 per cent good, and 22 per cent excellent.

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Throughout the week, much of Alberta continued to receive frequent soaking rains, and moisture reserves remain well above the seasonal average. This is supportive of crop development in most areas of the province, although all regions report some excess water.

Temperatures have been slow to warm in some areas, limiting the pace of crop advancement. Where warmer temperatures have occurred, crops have responded favourably with rapid development. Overall, crop development is progressing, although crop maturity remains variable across regions, reflecting the differences in local weather and growing conditions.

Provincial ratings for the conditions of major crops remain within averages, as 64 per cent of major crops are rated as good-to-excellent. This week’s rating is near the long-term trend at three per cent above the five-year average and five per cent below the 10-year average. Good-to-excellent conditions for major crops are regionally variable, with the South leading at 85 per cent, followed by the Central at 81 per cent, the Peace at 58 per cent, and the North East at 50 per cent. Major crop conditions in the North West Region are notably lower at 29 per cent rated good-to-excellent.

Provincial major cereals of spring wheat, barley, and oats continue to report staging that is less advanced than the five-year and 10-year averages for this week. While all major cereals vary between late stem elongation and early heading depending on the area, the provincial average for spring wheat and barley are in the mid-booting stage, where the cereal head moves up through the elongated stem.

The five-year and 10-year averages for this week indicate the average spring wheat crop should be in early heading, while the five-year average for barley is early heading and the 10-year average is late booting. Provincial oats are averaging late stem elongation, with the five-year and 10-year averages suggesting the crop should be in mid-booting for this week.

Moisture conditions remain above long-term averages across the province, with adequate moisture for crops and pasture growth. Provincial surface soil moisture good-to-excellent ratings were reported as 80 per cent, which is above the five-year average of 54 per cent and the 10-year average of 64 per cent.

Notable excessive surface soil moisture ratings in the North East and North West regions continue to be above long-term averages. Provincial good-to-excellent sub-surface soil moisture also remains strong at 83 per cent, above the five-year average of 47 per cent and the 10-year average of 56 per cent for this week.

Regionally, sub-surface moisture (last week’s rating) was rated at 72 (74) per cent good-to-excellent in the South, 90 (90) per cent in the Central Region, 83 (79) per cent in the North East, 90 (74) per cent in the North West and 92 (97) per cent in the Peace Region. The significant sub-surface soil moisture is expected to support crops as we move into the warmer months. Pasture growth and tame hay growth remain consistent with last week, both above the five-year averages. Alberta’s good-to-excellent pasture growth is 82 per cent, and tame hay is 81 per cent.