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The majority of crops in Alberta are in good or excellent condition, although the recent cool, damp weather has delayed crop maturity and halted haying operations. In the Central Region, spring cereals are mostly in the soft dough stage, and need at least two weeks of warm weather to be ready for swathing. Crop harvesting, mainly of dry peas and fall-seeded crops, has begun in the Southern Region. Warm temperatures are needed to speed up crop maturity across the province.
Yield potentials of most 2005 crops are estimated to be above or much above 10-year average levels. Provincially, spring wheat is rated as 3% poor, 20% fair, 60% good, and 17% excellent. Canola is reported as 4% poor, 21% fair, 60% good, and 15% excellent. Rating of dry peas is 3% poor, 14% fair, 63% good, and 20% excellent.
Due to the recent cool, damp weather conditions, haying operations have been delayed, and hay quality has been deteriorating. Many producers in Alberta are still trying to wrap up the first cut. In the Southern Region, producers have started the second cut under irrigation. Provincially, condition of tame hay stands is reported as 10% poor, 28% fair, 53% good, and 9% excellent. Pasture is rated as 14% poor, 32% fair, 50% good, and 4% excellent.
Infestations of grasshoppers and gophers have caused significant crop damage. Diamondback moth and larvae, root maggots, bertha armyworms, and flea beetles were problematic in some areas. Also reported are concerns with other insects, problems with crop diseases, and frosts.
Resulting from the recent rains, most areas in the province report adequate moisture. Provincially, surface moisture is rated as 6% poor, 22% fair, 48% good, and 24% excellent, while rating of sub-surface moisture is 16% poor, 31% fair, 48% good, and 5% excellent.
Special thanks go to members of the Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen and staff of AFSC for their contributions to the crop report.
REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS:
The 2005 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:
Region One: Southern (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
- Rain showers and cool temperatures have delayed crop maturity and harvesting operations. Crop yield potentials vary across the region. Overall, above average yields are expected for major cereals and oilseeds. About 45% of fall-seeded cereals and more than 20% of dry peas have been combined. Harvesting of other crops is minimal.
- Specialty crops are developing nicely, and generally have good yield prospects. Humid conditions had some producers carrying out extra sprays for fungicide in pulse crops.
- The second cut haying operation under irrigation is estimated to be about one-quarter complete. Some producers have started the second cut haying operation on dryland.
- Pasture is rated as 11% poor, 38% fair, 45% good, and 6% excellent.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
- The recent cool, damp weather conditions have delayed crop maturity and haying operations. Swathing, mostly of fall-seeded crops, has begun in the region.
- Overall, crops are mostly in good condition, and have above average yield prospects. Spring wheat is rated as 2% poor, 18% fair, 61% good, and 19% excellent, while rating of canola is 4% poor, 17% fair, 62% good, and 17% excellent. Frosts are reported in some areas.
- Pasture is reported as 13% poor, 30% fair, 48% good, and 9% excellent.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
- Crops are generally in good or excellent condition in the region. Crop yield potentials range from above average to much above average. Swathing of fall-seeded crops has just begun.
- Spring wheat is rated as 6% fair, 72% good, and 22% excellent. Canola is reported as 10% fair, 78% good, and 12% excellent, while rating of dry peas is 2% fair, 78% good, and 20% excellent.
- Pasture is reported as 18% poor, 21% fair, and 61% good. The majority of tame hay stands are in good or excellent condition.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
- Crops are mostly in good or excellent condition, although the recent cool, damp weather has delayed crop development. Spring wheat is rated as 3% poor, 11% fair, 69% good, and 17% excellent, while canola is reported as 2% poor, 13% fair, 71% good, and 14% excellent. In general, crop yield prospects are estimated to be above average.
- Grasshoppers have caused significant crop damage in some areas. Diamondback moth and larvae, root maggots, and gophers were also problematic.
- Pasture is rated as 12% poor, 23% fair, 60% good, and 5% excellent. About 70% of tame hay stands are rated as good or excellent.
Region Five: Peace River (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
- The majority of crops in the region are in fair or good condition. Overall, crop yield potentials range from average to above average. Cool temperatures in August have delayed crop development. Many producers have started harvesting forage seed crops.
- Grasshoppers have caused significant crop damage in some areas. Problems with diamondback moth and larvae, and flea beetles are also reported.
- Pasture and tame hay growth are mostly rated as fair or good. Frosts occurred in some areas.
Note to Users: The contents of this document may not be used or reproduced without properly accrediting the Statistics and Data Development Unit, Economics and Competitiveness Division, AAFRD. |
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