Crop Conditions as of June 7, 2016 - Abbreviated Report

Surface moisture ratings improved in all regions with the exception of the South. Provincially, surface moisture was rated at 81% good or excellent compared to 77% last week with the ratings improvement due principally to the reduction in excessive soil moisture (see Table #2). A year ago, only 20% of the province was rated good or excellent. Sub soil moisture ratings improved in all regions to 67% rated good or excellent compared to 64% last week. The area of moderate to severe precipitation deficit along the west portion of the South and Central regions (see map) expanded this week and is starting to extend into the central portions of both regions.

Pasture and hay crops showed significant improvement with the warmer temperatures. Ratings improved in all regions to 67% good or excellent from 54% last week. Last year, only 20% of pastures and hay in the province were rated as good or excellent. Haying has started in a few areas of southern Alberta and should become more general over the next week or so. Forage crops across the province are showing damage from the delayed start to growth and there is some anticipation that producers may opt to harvest their 1^st cut early in hope of getting a better 2^nd cut.

REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS:
The 2016 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:

Region One: Southern (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)

• Warm weather throughout the region has crops growing rapidly. Seeding is completed and virtually all crops have emerged. The most common growth stage for cereals is completed tillering.
• Surface soil moisture ratings declined to 69% good or excellent (73% last week); sub soil ratings showed a small improvement to 67% good or excellent (65% last week)
• Pasture and hay ratings improved marginally to 56% good or excellent from 54% last week.

• Warm temperatures with some light, spotty showers reported. Crops and forages showing significant improvement with the warmer weather. Seeding is virtually completed at 99.7%.
• 94% of crops have emerged with most common stage for cereals being early tillering.
• Surface soil moisture ratings improved slightly to 80% good or excellent (79% last week). Sub soil ratings were unchanged at 76% good or excellent.
• Pasture and hay ratings rose to 78% good or excellent from 76% last week.

• Warm temperatures with some spotty light precipitation reported. Seeding nearing completion at 99% in the ground and 86% of the crops emerged. Most common stage of crop development has cereals entering the tillering stage.
• Surface soil moisture ratings improved substantially to 90% good or excellent (72% last week) largely due to the significant reduction in excessive moisture from last week’s ratings. Sub soil moisture improved to 66% good or excellent (63% last week).
• Pasture and hay ratings improved greatly to 85% good or excellent (55% last week) with to the heat.

• Seeding is 99.2% completed with 79% of crops emerged. The most common crop stage is 6-8 leaf stage.
• Soil moisture ratings showed small improvements with surface moisture at 95% good or excellent (91% last week) and sub soil moisture at 61% good or excellent (58% last week).
• Pasture and hay ratings showed substantial improvement to 56% good or excellent (24% last week).

• Warm temperatures and spotty light precipitation throughout the region.
• Seeding is wrapping up with 99.4% completed. 91% of crops have emerged. The most common stage for cereals is early tillering.
• Surface soil moisture ratings showed a small improvement to 80% rated good or excellent (77% last week). Sub soil ratings rose 6 points to 55% good or excellent (49% last week).
• Pasture and hay ratings improved with the warm weather to 49% good or excellent (45% last week).