Alberta Crop Report - July 2, 2013

The July 2, 2013 Crop Report is also available as a PDF file on the AFSC website.

Provincial

Crop growth conditions continue to be very favourable across the province. Despite dry conditions in the North East which has benefited from some very timely precipitation and the excessive moisture conditions in the western portion of the Central and North West regions, crop condition ratings continue to be reported well above long term averages. Provincial crop condition ratings are slightly below those of 2012 but well above the longer term 5 year averages. Overall, 85% of crops are rated in good/excellent condition, unchanged from the last report of June 18. Ratings have declined slightly in the Central region, improved slightly in the Peace while remaining close to unchanged in the South, North East and North West regions.

Crop development in all regions is significantly ahead of that in 2012. Crop development is ahead of the 5 year averages in the South and Central regions while similar to slightly behind in the North East, North West and Peace regions. Surface soil moisture is rated 87% good/excellent and sub soil moisture conditions are rated at 85% good/excellent.

1^st cut haying is getting underway. The cutting of hay is happening in all regions but very little baling has occurred to date. Hay/pasture condition ratings have improved to 85% good/excellent, up 2% from last report. Hay/pastures are rated 1% poor (unchanged); 14% fair (down 2%); 61% good (unchanged); 24% excellent (up 2%).



REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS

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

• Crops advancing and looking very good.
• 90% of crops in the region are rated in good/excellent condition.
• Crop development is well ahead of both 2012 and 5 year longer term averages. Cereals in late flag leaf stage with canola 46% flowering.
• Surface and sub soil moisture are both rated at 88% good/excellent.
• 1^st cut dryland and irrigated haying is general with less than 1% baled.

• Crop condition ratings have declined 4% to 76% good/excellent. Ratings are being seriously impacted by the excessive moisture conditions affecting 30 – 40% of the land west of Highway #2.
• Crop development is ahead of 2012 and 5 year averages. Cereals in mid stem elongation stage with canola 27% flowering.
• Surface and sub soil moisture rated at 76% good/excellent, 13% excessive.
• Dryland haying is underway with 3% completed.

• Below average seasonal precipitation across much of the region in 2013 but timely precipitation has maintained crop condition ratings at 80% good/excellent.
• Crop development is ahead of 2012 and similar to 5 year averages. Cereals are in mid to late stem elongation stage with canola 10% flowering.
• Surface moisture is rated 89% good/excellent, sub soil rated at 81% good/excellent.
• Dryland haying is starting with nothing completed to date.

• Crop conditions very good with 91% of the region rated good/excellent.
• Crop development well ahead of 2012 and similar to the 5 year averages. Cereals are entering the boot stage with canola 5% flowering.
• Surface moisture is rated 90% good/excellent with sub soil moisture rated at 93% good/excellent.
• Dryland haying starting with nothing completed to date.

• Crops progressing well with regional crop condition rating of 93% good/excellent.
• Crop development is well ahead of 2012 but similar to slightly behind the 5 year averages. Cereals are entering the boot stage with canola 13% flowering.
• Surface moisture is rated 96% good/excellent. Sub soil moisture rated 99% good/excellent.
• Dryland haying is getting underway.