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This information has been made available by Agriculture Financial Services Corporation.
The June 9, 2015 Alberta Crop Report is also available as a PDF file on the AFSC website
Alberta Crop Conditions as of June 9, 2015 (Abbreviated Report)
Dry weather continued throughout the province this past week, exacerbated by warm temperatures in the mid to upper twenties and wind. Surface soil moisture ratings in the top 6 inches of the soil profile declined in 4 of the 5 regions and was unchanged in the other, namely the South. The percentage of the province rating surface soil moisture as poor, increased 14% week over week to 43%. The percentage of the province rated good or excellent fell 8% to 20%. Annual crops are withstanding the difficult conditions reasonably well at this time with the exception of some emergence issues due to uneven germination. Alberta producers in all regions have become very adept at conserving soil moisture. The first crop condition ratings of the season will commence next week.
Hay and pasture crops are feeling the full effects of the dry conditions. Grasses and legumes have stopped growing and are turning brown. Plant growth is short which will affect first cut hay harvest. Only 20% of the hay and pastures are rated good or excellent, down from 30% last week. Hay and pasture conditions are rated 49% poor (+15%); 31% fair (-5%); 18% good (-9%); 2% excellent (-1%).
Regional Assessments:
The 2015 Alberta Crop Report Series provides summaries for the following five regions:
Region One: Southern (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
- Precipitation in SW corner has resulted in good moisture conditions. Remainder of region experienced only spotty showers and conditions are very dry.
- Canola emergence is a little behind as some growers delayed seeding in hopes of receiving moisture.
- Surface Moisture – 36% rated good or excellent (+1%); Subsoil Moisture – 48% rated good or excellent (-9%).
- Hay/pastures rated 27% poor (+9%); 36% fair (no change); 33% good (-6%); 4% excellent (-3%).
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
- Spotty showers in east portion along Saskatchewan border, little elsewhere in the region.
- Crops are emerging well though there is some spotty canola due to frost, dryness and flea beetles.
- Surface Moisture – 7% rated good or excellent (-5%); Subsoil Moisture – 11% rated good or excellent (-3%).
- Hay/pastures rated 65% poor (+8%); 28% fair (-6%); 7% good (-2%); 0% excellent (no change).
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
- A few light showers reported in the region.
- Oats outstanding to be seeded in Vermilion area awaiting moisture.
- Surface Moisture – 10% rated good or excellent (-17%); Subsoil Moisture – 19% rated good or excellent (-29%).
- Hay/pastures rated 67% poor (+30%); 28% fair (-7%); 5% good (-23%); 0% excellent (no change).
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
- Spotty, localized thunderstorms in the region.
- Pasture and hay showing very little growth. Alfalfa starting to bloom, grasses short and heading.
- Surface Moisture – 2% rated good or excellent (-9%); Subsoil Moisture – 11% rated good or excellent (-20%).
- Hay/pastures rated 68% poor (+29%); 26% fair (-13%); 6% good (-16%); 0% excellent (no change).
Region Five: Peace River (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
- Scattered, isolated showers.
- Crops showing effects of the dry conditions with yellowing leaves.
- Surface Moisture – 40% rated good or excellent (-10%); Subsoil Moisture – 43% rated good or excellent (-9%).
- Hay/pastures rated 10% poor (+2%); 40% fair (+3%); 44% good (-3%); 6% excellent (-2%).
James Wright, Risk Analyst
Agriculture Financial Services Corporation
Actuarial, Analytics & Forecasting Unit
Lacombe, Alberta
Email: james.wright@afsc.ca
Telephone: (403)782-8336
June 12, 2015
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