Crop Conditions as of July 12, 2016

Excessive soil moisture ratings rose to 4% of the province. Some crop ratings are being negatively affected by the wet conditions. Surface soil moisture is rated 82% good or excellent, up 1 percentage point for the week as ratings rose in the South and Central regions. Ratings declined in the North East, North West and Peace due to the rise in excessive moisture.

Pasture ratings declined 1 percentage point to 73% rated good or excellent. Hay ratings were unchanged at 71% good or excellent. 1^st cut haying is being significantly affected by the wet weather. Dryland hay is 39% complete compared to 70% last year. Yields are below average though approximately double those obtained in 2015. 1^st cut irrigated hay is 80% completed compared to 95% last year. Yields are slightly below those achieved in 2015.

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)

• Crop Development: Spring cereals in late pollination; Winter cereals in early dough stage; Canola is 28% podding with 72% flowering; Field peas are 50% podding and 50% still in flower.
• Crop condition ratings declined 2 percentage points from last week to 68% good or excellent, below the 5 year average of 79% and the long term average of 75%. Spring wheat, durum, barley and field pea ratings dropped 1-2 percentage points, canola declined 3 points. Winter wheat ratings rose 5 percentage points.
• Surface soil moisture improved to 64% rated good or excellent. 1% of region rated excessive.
• Dryland hay 82% baled (90% last year). Yields are similar to 2015. 75% rated good/exc for quality.

• Crop Development: Spring cereals in early pollination; Canola is 11% podding with 80% flowering; Field peas are 32% podding and 65% in flower.
• Crop condition ratings were near unchanged from last week at 77% rated good or excellent, above both the 5 year average of 72% and the long term average of 69%. Barley ratings rose 1 percentage point, durum rose 4 points. Canola and field pea ratings dropped 3 percentage points.
• Surface soil moisture improved to 81% rated good or excellent. 3% of region rated excessive.
• Dryland hay 39% complete (63% in 2015). Yields are double those of 2015. 63% rated good/exc for quality.

• Frequent showers across the entire region. Totals for week of 50-75 mm.
• Crop Development: Spring cereals in mid to late head emergence; Canola is 5% podding with 84% flowering; Field peas are 44% podding and 56% in flower.
• Crop condition ratings rose 1 percentage point from last week to 94% rated good or excellent, above both the 5 year average of 73% and the long term average of 70%. Spring wheat and barley ratings rose less than 1 percentage point, canola rose 2 points. Field pea ratings dropped by less than a point.
• Surface soil moisture dropped to 92% rated good or excellent. 8% of region rated excessive.
• Dryland hay 6% complete (58% in 2015). Yields are 3-4 times those of 2015. 67% rated good/exc for quality.

• Frequent showers across the entire region. Total for week of 50 mm.
• Crop Development: Spring cereals in late heading; Canola is 1% podding with 91% flowering; Field peas are 66% podding and 34% in flower.
• Crop condition ratings improved 3 percentage points from last week to 95% rated good or excellent, above both the 5 year and the long term averages of 67%. Spring wheat, barley and field pea ratings were near unchanged. Canola ratings rose 7 percentage points.
• Surface soil moisture declined to 95% rated good or excellent. 5% of region is rated excessive.
• Dryland hay 29% complete (67% in 2015). Yields are 3 times those of 2015. 32% rated good/exc for quality.

• Frequent showers totaling 25-50 mm for the week.
• Crop Development: Spring cereals in early pollination; Canola is 7% podding with 86% flowering; Field peas are 19% podding and 77% in flower.
• Crop condition ratings were near unchanged from last week at 81% rated good or excellent, well above both the 5 year average of 64% and the long term average of 53%. Barley and canola ratings rose 1 percentage point, field peas rose 3 points. Spring wheat ratings dropped 1 percentage point.
• Surface soil moisture declined to 90% rated good or excellent. 5% of region rated excessive.
• Dryland hay 16% complete (72% in 2015). Yields are double those of 2015. 66% rated good/exc for quality.