Crop Conditions as of July 11, 2017

• Hot, dry and windy weather over the past week have advanced crops rapidly, but depleted soil moisture and caused some signs of stress, especially for crops in the flowering stage of development.
• Spring cereals are mainly in the flowering stage of development, as well as 81 per cent of canola. Almost two thirds of pulses are in the flowering stage and another third is podding.
• Overall, conditions of dryland crops are declining, while irrigated crops are benefitting from the warmer temperatures. Crop condition ratings are lower than the 5-year averages for all crops, except for potatoes and sugar beets. About 60 to 63 per cent of spring wheat, barley, canola and most pulses are in good to excellent condition.
• Surface soil moisture are rated as 27 per cent good to excellent, down 19 per cent from a week ago.
• First cut haying is underway, with 96 per cent of irrigated and 89 per cent of dryland complete. Dryland and irrigated yields are estimated, respectively at 1.3 (compared to the 5-year average of 1.7) and 3.2 (compared to the 5-year average of 2.5) tons per acre. Hay quality is above the 5-year averages for both irrigated and dryland.

• Lack of moisture and heat have started to affect both the quality and yield of crops and grasses. Hail damage has been reported in some areas. Spring cereals are in the head emergence stage of development, while about five per cent of canola is podding and another 83 per cent flowering. More than 70 per cent of pulses are in flower.
• Crop condition ratings for all crops in the Region are higher than the 5-year averages. More than 68 per cent of cereals, canola and pulses, as well as 100 per cent of potatoes are reported in good to excellent condition.
• Surface soil moisture dropped 13 per cent to 70 per cent rated as good to excellent, but still higher than the 5-year average of 67 per cent, with almost one per cent excessive.
• About 56 per cent of dryland and 50 per cent of irrigated haying is complete. Dryland and irrigated yields are estimated, respectively at 1.7 (compared to the 5-year average of 1.7) and 2.2 (compared to the 5-year average of 2.4) tons per acre. For both irrigated and dryland, hay quality is above the 5-year averages.

• Hot, dry weather over the past week was beneficial for crop development and haying operations.
• Spring cereals are mostly in the booting stage of development, while about two per cent of canola is podding and another 70 per cent flowering. Almost 58 per cent of dry peas are in flower, with about 19 per cent podding.
• Crop condition ratings for all crops in the Region are higher than the 5-year averages. More than 80 per cent of cereals, canola and pulses are reported in good to excellent condition.
• Surface soil moisture declined two per cent to 65 per cent rated good to excellent, with 30 per cent excessive.
• Nearly 46 per cent of dryland haying is complete, with yield at 2.0 tons per acre, compared to the 5-year average of 1.1 tons per acre. Quality is rated at 98 per cent good to excellent quality, higher than the 5-year average.

• Crops are progressing rapidly, due to hot sunny days. Spring cereals are mostly in the booting stage of development, while about 40 per cent of canola is in the 7-12 node stage and another 60 per cent flowering. About 32 per cent of dry peas are in the 7-12 node stage, with 68 per cent in flower.
• Regionally, between 55 to 60 per cent of cereals, canola and pulses are in good to excellent condition, lower than the 5-year averages for all crops.
• Surface soil moisture increased 10 per cent to 74 per cent good to excellent, with 23 per cent excessive.
• About 53 per cent of dryland haying is complete, with the yield at 3.4 tons per acre, compared to the 5-year average of 1.7 tons per acre. Quality is rated at 93 per cent good to excellent, higher than the 5-year average.

• Some light and spotty rain showers over the past week was reported. However, some areas are in need of rain, as crops have started to deteriorate. Regionally, more than 61 per cent of barley, oats and canola and more than 73 per cent of spring wheat and dry peas are in good to excellent condition. .
• Spring cereals are mostly in the early booting stage of development, while about 45 per cent of canola is in the 7-12 node stage and another 55 per cent flowering. About 61 per cent of dry peas are in the flowering stage, with 39 per cent in the 7-12 node.
• Surface soil moisture is rated at 82 per cent good to excellent, with six per cent excessive.
• About 65 per cent of dryland haying is complete, with the yield of 1.2 tons per acre, compared to the 5-year average of 1.4 tons per acre. Quality is rated at 85 per cent good to excellent, higher than the 5-year average.