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Almost all areas of the province received precipitation during the past two weeks. Most areas of the Central, North East and North West Regions received precipitation between 10 to 30 mm, while the Southern Region received from 30 to 70 mm. Precipitation in the Peace River Region ranged from 30 to more than 120 mm. Overall, soil moisture reserves in the province are mostly good to excessive. Table 1 below presents estimates of surface moisture conditions for the province, by region. Areas with excessive surface moisture are reported in all regions, especially in Peace Region, where excessive surface moisture is reported for 20 per cent of the crop land. The South, Central, North East, and North West Regions are reporting from two to six per cent of crop land as excessively wet. Scattered hailstorms were reported in all regions with the exception of the Peace and North East Regions. For the most part, the hail caused minor damage, but localized areas in the Southern Region did experience severe damage.
Provincially, about 85 to 90 per cent of spring wheat, canola, barley, durum, oats and dry peas are good to excellent condition (see Table 2). Crop development in the northern portion of the province is somewhat delayed due to cool weather and excessive moisture. Hot dry weather over the next few weeks would allow crops to take advantage of the moisture and advance rapidly.
With the recent rain, pasture and tame hay are in good to excellent condition. Provincially, pasture and tame hay growth is rated as one per cent poor, 10 per cent fair, 54 per cent good, and 35 per cent excellent. About 31 per cent of weed spraying is complete. Some areas are reporting problems/concerns with cutworms, wireworms, flea beetles and gophers, especially in Central, North East and Peace Regions.
 
Our thanks to Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen, staff of AFSC and the Alberta Ag-Info Centre
for their partnership and contribution to the Alberta Crop Reporting Program.
The precipitation map is compiled by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development,
Environmental Stewardship Division, Technology and Innovation Branch
REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS:
The 2012 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:
Region One: Southern (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
- During the past two weeks, most areas of the region received significant amounts of precipitation, ranging from 30 to 70 mm. There have been some hail storms which caused crop damage, especially in M.D. of Taber and Vulcan County. Standing water was also reported in some areas.
- Despite the recent precipitation and hail, crops are generally rated as good to excellent. Among major crops, between 84 and 89 per cent of spring wheat, canola, barley and dry peas are in good to excellent condition. Hay operations are less than one per cent completed.
- Moisture conditions are mostly good to excellent, with a few areas reporting an excessive amount. Overall, surface moisture is rated as seven per cent fair, 56 per cent good, 33 per cent excellent and four per cent excessive.
- Warmer weather is needed to further advance crops.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
- Scattered showers were reported throughout the region with rainfall ranging from 10 to 30mm. There have been some hail storms, but the damage is minimal.
- With the recent rain, soil moisture reserves are generally adequate. Overall, surface moisture conditions are reported as two per cent fair, 34 per cent good, 59 per cent excellent and five per cent excessive.
- Spraying for weed control is about 23 per cent complete. Also, some areas are reporting problems/concerns with cutworms, wireworms and flea beatles.
- Most major crops are in good to excellent conditions. Over 95 per cent of spring wheat, durum, barley, oats, canola and dry peas are rated as good to excellent. Warmer weather is needed to advance crop development.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
- Precipitation during the past two weeks has ranged from 10 to 30 mm in most areas of the region. Crops are developing relatively slowly as a result of the high moisture and lack of heat. Crops are progressing, but remain behind normal in terms of development.
- About 80 per cent of spring wheat, barley, oats, and dry peas and 73 per cent of canola are in good to excellent condition.
- Spraying for weed control is in progress and about 30 per cent is complete. There are some localized outbreaks of wire worms, cutworms, gophers and flea beatles across the region.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
- Excellent moisture conditions are reported throughout the region. Overall, surface moisture is rated as one per cent poor, eight per cent fair, 68 per cent good, 20 per cent excellent and three per cent excessive.
- Rainfall ranged from 10 to 30mm, with the exception of Brazeau County, which received up to 90mm. Scattered hailstorms occurred in some areas with no damage reported.
- Crop conditions are mostly rated as good to excellent. Some of the major crops such as spring wheat, barley, oats and dry peas are rated at about 90 per cent good to excellent and canola is rated at
86 per cent good to excellent.
- With the recent rain, pasture and tame hay conditions are improving, although with cool temperatures in some areas growth is behind most years. Producers are hoping for warmer weather.
Region Five: Peace River (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
- Rain showers have brought significant amounts of precipitation to most areas of the region ranging from 30 to more than 120 mm. Standing water is reported in some areas. Overall, surface moisture is rated as two per cent poor, six per cent fair, 21 per cent good, 51 per cent excellent and 20 per cent excessive.
- Crops are mostly in good to excellent condition. About 87 to 90 per cent of spring wheat, barley, oats, and dry peas and 84 per cent of canola are in good to excellent condition. In some areas, pesticides are being applied to control grasshoppers and flea beetles. Spraying for weed control is estimated at 24 per cent complete. Warmer weather is needed to further advance crops.
- Overall, pasture and tame hay conditions are rated at about four per cent fair and 96 per cent good to excellent.
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Economics and Competitiveness Division
Statistics and Data Development Branch
June 15, 2012
Lukas Matejovsky, Crop Statistician
E-mail: lukas.matejovsky@gov.ab.ca
Phone: 780-422-2887
Note to Users: The contents of this document may not be used or reproduced without properly accrediting Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Economics and Competitiveness Division, Statistics and Data Development Branch. |
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