Alberta Crop Conditions as of May 19, 2015

During the last week only the Southern Region received enough precipitation to improve surface soil moisture rating. Provincially, surface soil moisture is rated 55 per cent good to excellent, down three per cent compared to last week (see Table 2). Sub-surface moisture is rated as 58 per cent good to excellent, compared to 63 per cent from last week.

Tame hay and pasture are showing slow growth in most areas of the province, due to cool and dry conditions. Provincially, pasture conditions and tame hay growth are reported as 12 per cent poor, 37 per cent fair, 42 per cent good, and nine per cent excellent.

Most regions would certainly benefit from more moisture and warmer temperatures to help with crop development. Provincially, most spring cereals are approaching the seedling growth stage, with about 94 per cent emerged for canola.

REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS:
The 2015 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:

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

• Despite cool weather and the recent rainfall, producers managed to progress with seeding during the last week. Overall, seeding is estimated at 93 per cent complete, up seven per cent from a week ago. This is also 24 per cent above the 5-year average.
• Due to the frequent showers this past week, surface moisture conditions are rated as 57 per cent good to excellent, compared to 41 per cent a week ago. The recent rainfall also helped with crop development, with most spring cereals in the seedling growth stage, and canola about 92 per cent emerged. There were reports of frost damage in a few areas.
• Pasture conditions are mostly favourable and reported as 10 per cent poor, 21 per cent fair, 62 per cent good, and seven per cent excellent. Same ratings were reported for tame hay.

• Weather conditions during the last week have been mainly cool and dry, with light precipitation in some parts of the region. Overall, seeding is estimated at 78 per cent complete, compared to 51 per cent last week and the 5-year average of 58 per cent.
• Surface moisture conditions are rated as 35 per cent good to excellent, compared to 48 per cent a week earlier. A mixture of more warm weather and precipitation would help to advance seeding progress and crops to emerge. Most spring cereals are now in the seedling growth stage, with 94 per cent of canola emerged.
• Pasture conditions are reported as 23 per cent poor, 53 per cent fair, 23 per cent good, and one per cent excellent, with similar ratings reported for tame hay.

• Seeding has progressed rapidly during the last seven days. The continuation of cool and windy weather has slowed crop development. As of May 19, seeding stands at 73 per cent complete, compared to 30 per cent a week ago and the 5-year average of 51 per cent.
• Overall, surface moisture conditions are rated as 69 per cent good to excellent, compared to 82 per cent a week ago. Warmer weather and more precipitation are needed to help with crop development. Most spring cereals are in the germination stage, with canola about 89 per cent emerged. There were reports of frost damage in nearly all areas of the region.
• Pasture conditions are reported as 13 per cent poor, 31 per cent fair, 43 per cent good, and 13 per cent excellent, with similar ratings reported for tame hay.

• The mainly cool, dry weather conditions with minimal precipitation during the last week have helped significantly with seeding progress. Regionally, 70 per cent of the crop is now seeded, compared to 28 per cent a week ago and the 5-year average of 59 per cent.
• Surface moisture conditions are rated as 45 per cent good to excellent, compared to 59 per cent excellent a week earlier. Due to cool temperatures and some frost, producers are reporting slow crop emergence for cereals crops, with canola about 95 per cent emerged.
• Pasture conditions are reported as six per cent poor, 50 per cent fair, 38 per cent good, and six per cent excellent, with similar ratings reported for tame hay.

• The weather conditions during the last week have been mainly cool, with overnight frost reported in most areas. Nearly 55 per cent of the region has now been seeded, compared to 19 per cent a week ago and the 5-year average of 57 per cent.
• Surface soil moisture conditions are at 61 per cent good to excellent, compared to 62 per cent a week ago. In terms of crop development, most spring cereals have now germinated, with canola about 97 per cent emerged.
• Pasture conditions are reported as four per cent poor, 27 per cent fair, 51 per cent good, and 18 per cent excellent, with similar ratings reported for tame hay.