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Alberta Crop Conditions as of May 12, 2015 (Abbreviated Report)
Dry weather continues to persist across Southern and Central regions. The seeding of canola is being delayed by some producers to await an improvement in seedbed moisture. Precipitation in the form of light rain and snow was received in Northern Alberta and the Peace but amounts were only sufficient to maintain surface moisture ratings. Cold nights at freezing or lower temperatures are reported in all regions which is affecting crop emergence. Hay, pastures and fall seeded crops are greening up but slow to grow. If moisture and temperature situations don’t significantly improve in the very near future, the first cut hay crop will be negatively impacted.
Seeding progress is approaching 50% complete, improving from 27% last week and well ahead of the 10% seeded last year and the 5 year provincial average of 22% complete.
Surface soil moisture declined to 57% of the province rated good or excellent from 69% last week. Poor and fair ratings increased in all 5 reporting regions. Sub soil moisture ratings dropped to 63% good or excellent from 70% last week.
Regional Assessments:
The 2015 Alberta Crop Report Series provides summaries for the following five regions:
Region One: Southern (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
- 86% seeded; 71% seeded last week; 15% seeded last year.
- Canola seeding being delayed to await precipitation.
- Cereals, field peas are 25% emerged; Canola is 13% emerged.
- Surface moisture is very dry in all areas with 60% of region rated poor or fair (42% last week).
- Heavy frost in Brooks area caused damage, severity to be determined.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
- 51% seeded; 21% last week; 9% last year.
- 12% of field peas, 7% of spring wheat, 2% of barley and canola have emerged.
- Dry conditions throughout the region, cold night temperatures at freezing or below
affecting crop emergence and early hay/pasture growth.
- 52% of region rated poor or fair for surface moisture (35% last week).
- 50% of region rated sub soil moisture as poor or fair (31% last week).
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
- 30% seeded; 4% last week; less than 1% seeded last year.
- 2% of field peas, 1% of spring wheat emerged. No barley or canola.
- Cold night temperatures slowing soil warming, affecting emergence.
- Seeding delayed for a few days by light amounts of rain and wet snow.
- 82% of region rated good or excellent for surface moisture (88% last week).
- 86% of region rated good or excellent for sub soil moisture (unchanged from last week).
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
- 28% seeded; 3% last week; 8% last year. Less than 1% emerged.
- Light rain and snow across the region beneficial in maintaining surface moisture.
- Cold soils and cold night temperatures are an issue in the region.
- Surface moisture rated good or excellent in 59% of region (62% last week).
- 48% of region rated good or excellent for sub soil moisture (50% last week).
Region Five: Peace River (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
- 19% seeded; 3% last week; 4% last year. Nothing has emerged to date.
- Snow and rain across region caused minimal seeding delays.
- 62% of region rated good or excellent for surface moisture (68% last week).
- 61% of region rated good or excellent for sub soil moisture (54% last week).
James Wright, Risk Analyst
Agriculture Financial Services Corporation
Actuarial, Analytics & Forecasting Unit
Lacombe, Alberta
Email: james.wright@afsc.ca
Telephone: (403)782-8336
May 15, 2015
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