Alberta Crop Conditions as of May 26, 2015 - Abbreviated Report

The continued dry weather and lack of rain is starting to affect crops in many areas across the province. Some regions are showing signs of stress for already emerged crops. Provincially, surface soil moisture conditions have dropped 24 per cent from a week ago, and are rated as 31 per cent good to excellent. Sub-surface moisture is rated as 48 per cent good to excellent, compared to 58 per cent last week. Surface soil moisture ratings are highly variable across the province with the highest good to excellent ratings reported in the Peace Region (49 per cent), followed by the South Region (43 per cent), North East Region (30 per cent), Central Region (16 per cent), and North West Region (11 per cent) - see Table 2. However, it is still early in the season with the rainiest months of June and July (on average) yet to come. Most areas would certainly benefit from more timely precipitations to help with crop development.

Tame hay and pasture are continuing to show slow growth in most areas of the province, due to dry conditions and cool nights. Pasture conditions and tame hay growth declined from last week and are reported as 25 per cent poor, 41 per cent fair, 31 per cent good, and three per cent excellent. Rainfall is needed for tame hay and pastures to become greener.

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)

• Due to dry conditions seeding is virtually completed and stands at 98 per cent, compared to 93 per cent a week ago.
• The rainfall last week assisted with crop germination and crop development. Regionally, 67 per cent of crops have emerged and are in the seedling growth stage with five to six leaves unfolded.
• Surface soil moisture conditions declined 13 per cent from a week ago to 43 per cent good to excellent. There were reports of frost damage in a few areas.
• Pasture conditions have improved from last week and are reported as 18 per cent poor, 37 per cent fair, 42 per cent good, and three per cent excellent, with similar ratings reported for tame hay.

• Seeding has progressed rapidly during the past week. As of May 26, seeding stands at 92 per cent complete, compared to 78 per cent a week ago.
• Crops in few areas across the region are showing signs of stress due to dry conditions. Regionally, 47 per cent of crops have emerged and are in the seedling growth stage with one to four leaves unfolded.
• Surface soil moisture conditions declined 19 per cent from a week ago to 16 per cent good to excellent. There were reports of frost damage in a few areas.
• Pasture conditions declined from last week and are reported as 38 per cent poor, 45 per cent fair, and 17 per cent good, with similar ratings reported for tame hay.

• Seeding has progressed significantly due to dry weather. Overall, seeding is estimated at 94 per cent complete, compared to 73 per cent a week ago.
• A lack of moisture is becoming a concern in many parts of the region. Crop emergence has been slower than normal due to the dry weather. Regionally, 62 per cent of crops have emerged and are in the seedling growth stage with one to three leaves unfolded.
• Surface soil moisture conditions dropped significantly by 40 per cent this week and are now rated as 30 per cent good to excellent. There were reports of frost damage in a few areas.
• Pasture conditions declined from last week and are reported as 27 per cent poor, 41 per cent fair, and 32 per cent good, with similar ratings reported for tame hay.

• Nearly 94 per cent of the region has now been seeded, compared to 70 per cent a week ago.
• Produces have reported signs of stress on some already emerged crops. Regionally, 57 per cent of crops have emerged and are in the seedling growth stage with one to three leaves unfolded. There are reports of flea beetles in canola fields and some producers are spraying.
• Notable drop in surface soil moisture conditions was reported this week, from 45 per cent good to excellent from a week ago to 35 per cent. There were reports of frost damage in a few areas.
• Pasture conditions declined from last week and are reported as 35 per cent poor, 43 per cent fair, and 22 per cent good, with similar ratings reported for tame hay.

• Significant seeding progress was made this week as producers in the region now have 94 per cent of the crop in the ground. This is up from 55 per cent last week.
• An extended period of extremely dry weather during the past week has affected crop emergence. Regionally, 37 per cent of crops have emerged and are in the seedling growth stage with one to four leaves unfolded.
• Surface soil moisture conditions declined 12 per cent from a week ago to 49 per cent good to excellent. There are reports of re-seeding due to frost damage in some fields.
• Pasture conditions declined from last week and are reported as seven per cent poor, 35 per cent fair, 46 per cent good, and 12 per cent excellent, with similar ratings reported for tame hay.