Alberta Agriculture’s biweekly crop report indicates generally good conditions, except in the Peace River region, which continues dry. The report’s summary follows. For a full report including tables, click here.
Precipitation received during the last two weeks varied considerably across the province. In the Peace Region, it was more than 20 mm in the northern parts, but less than 20 mm in most southern and central areas, where dry conditions remain a major concern.
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For the rest of the province, rain has brought 30 to more than 100 mm of moisture to the Central, North East and North West Regions. This was welcome in replenishing moisture reserves, but has also hampered field operations, and left water standing in many low-lying fields. In the Southern Region, amounts of moisture received are moderate, ranging mostly from 10-40 mm.
Overall, soil moisture reserves in the province are adequate to excessive, with the exception of southern and central areas of the Peace Region.
Provincially, about 75 per cent of spring cereals and 70 per cent of canola are in good to excellent condition. It is worth mentioning that crop conditions in the southern and central areas of the Peace Region have deteriorated significantly, due to the lack of moisture.
Winter cereals in the province are generally reported as good to excellent, while specialty crops under irrigation, primarily in the Southern Region, are rated as fair to good. Overall, canola and dry peas are flowering, and early seeded spring cereals are heading out. Crop development remains 10-20 days behind normal in the Southern Region, and 7-10 days behind normal in the Central, North East and North West Regions. This is mainly due to the delayed seeding, and to some extent, cool, damp weather conditions.
The first-cut haying operation is estimated at 30 per cent complete. Yields are below average in the Peace Region, and about average in the North West Region. Elsewhere in the province, yields are mostly above average. Overall, hay quality ranges from fair to excellent. The recent rain has slowed haying operations and is likely to result in some quality deterioration for hay in swath.
Pasture growth has benefited significantly from the recent rain, and is rated as 12 per cent poor, 14 per cent fair, 47 per cent good, and 27 per cent excellent. Spraying for sclerotinia is reported in many areas of the province, and there are pest problems with lygus bugs, army cutworms, root maggots, and gophers.
