Alberta Crop Conditions as of June 23, 2015 - Abbreviated Report

Surface soil moisture conditions are on par with last week despite the recent rain. Provincially, surface soil moisture conditions are rated as 30 per cent poor, 41 per cent fair, 26 per cent good and three per cent excellent (see Table 1). Dry spring conditions have left little soil moisture reserves, making timely rains critical to enhance crop, hay and pasture development.

Provincially, crop growing conditions did not changed significantly from last week and are rated as 18 per cent poor, 44 per cent fair, 35 per cent good and three per cent excellent. Field crops continue to be affected by the dry spring conditions. Wheat is rated as 15 per cent poor, 42 per cent fair, 39 per cent good and four per cent excellent and canola is at 25 per cent poor, 44 per cent fair, 28 per cent good and three per cent excellent. Grasshoppers are becoming an issue in a few areas of the North West and Peace Regions.

Tame hay and pasture crops are showing the full effects of the dry conditions. Although, improved marginally from a week ago, hay and pasture crops are now reported as 46 per cent poor, 35 per cent fair, 18 per cent good, and one per cent excellent. Some producers will be looking at grazing their tame hay, as they run out of pasture. Rainfall is still needed to help with tame hay and pasture development.

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)

• Isolated showers provided some relief from dry conditions, although it was not enough to improve the surface soil moisture or crop, hay and pasture development. Some areas are reporting stressed crops, hay and pasture and are in need of more precipitation.
• Surface soil moisture conditions continue to decline, down three per cent from a week ago, and are now rated as 69 per cent poor to fair.
• Regionally, between 47 and 53 per cent of spring wheat, barley, oats, canola, and dry peas are in good to excellent condition.
• Pasture conditions have declined by 10 per cent from last week, with 73 per cent reported as poor to fair, and same ratings reported for tame hay.

• Varying amounts of rain (upwards of 50 mm in Clearwater County) this past week helped replenish soil moisture. However, additional rain is needed to help crops, hay and pasture develop.
• Due to the recent rain, surface soil moisture conditions improved by six per cent from a week ago, and are now rated as 73 per cent poor to fair.
• Regionally, between 30 and 38 per cent of spring wheat, barley, oats and dry peas are in good to excellent condition, while canola is at 24 per cent.
• Pasture conditions are on par with last week, and are now reported as 86 per cent poor to fair, with the same ratings reported for tame hay. Some producers will be looking at grazing their tame hay.

• Scattered localized showers occurred mostly in the eastern parts of the region (upwards of 80 mm in County of Minburn), with moderate effect on soil moisture conditions. Some areas are reporting stressed crops, hay and pasture, and are in need of more rain.
• Surface soil moisture conditions improved three per cent from a week ago, and are now rated as 78 per cent poor to fair.
• About 44 to 51 per cent of spring wheat, barley, and oats are in good to excellent condition, while canola is at 35 per cent.
• Pasture conditions have not changed from the previous week, and are reported as 92 per cent poor to fair, with similar ratings reported for tame hay.

• Localized showers and thundershowers have done little to improve crops during the past week. Grasshoppers are becoming an issue in a few areas.
• Overall, surface moisture conditions are rated as 96 per cent poor to fair, compared to 92 per cent a week ago.
• Regionally, between 11 and 18 per cent of spring wheat, barley, oats, canola and dry peas are in good to excellent condition.
• Pasture conditions remain unchanged from a week ago, and are reported as 97 per cent poor to fair, with similar ratings reported for tame hay. Some producers are cutting hay with the hope that removing the crop will generate regrowth, if more rain does come.

• Localized rainfall was received in the southern part of this region (upwards of 120 mm). The northern part of the region is very dry and received less than 30 mm of precipitation since April 1 of this year.
• Surface soil moisture conditions are on par with last week and are rated as 62 per cent good to excellent.
• Regionally, between 42 and 47 per cent of spring wheat, barley and oats are in good to excellent condition, while canola is at 32 per cent.
• Pasture conditions have declined three per cent from last week, and are reported as 52 per cent poor to fair, while tame hay is at 56 per cent.