Crop Conditions as of August 13, 2004

Precipitation remained extremely variable throughout the first week of August, ranging from extremely heavy rainfall and damaging hail in portions of the Southern and West Central Regions to frequent, light showers for much of the North East, North West and Peace River Regions. A trend toward warmer, drier conditions over the past week has helped to hasten ripening and enable haying to continue. Eastern portions of the Central Region did not receive much moisture and remain extremely dry. Sub-soil moisture levels in portions of the North East, North West and Peace River Regions also remain at critically low levels and are cause for some concern in terms of maintaining adequate pasture growth.

Generally across the province, spring cereals are in the early dough stage while winter cereals are ripening rapidly. Canola, mustard, and dry peas have virtually finishing flowering and are exclusively in the podding stage. Overall, crops are looking quite decent, with 77% of spring cereals, 67% of winter cereals, 75% of canola, and 76% of dry peas in good to excellent condition.

First cut dryland haying has progressed nicely, with close to 78% complete. Pastures, on the other hand, are beginning to suffer, with 67% in poor to fair condition.

Although swathing has already begun in the Southern Region (37% of winter cereals, 16% of dry peas, 10% of barley, and 8% of canola have been swathed), the rest of the province remains 1-2 weeks away from harvest. As such, moderate temperatures and precipitation are key during this critical last phase of development, as cereals and oilseeds strain to reach their potential.

Special thanks go to members of the Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen and staff of AFSC for their contributions to the crop report.

Regional Assessments:

The 2004 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:

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

• A few hailstorms hit the Region during the first week of August, causing substantial damage in some areas. Rainfall ranged from extremely heavy to intermittent showers. Although surface moisture levels improved to 19% poor, 34% fair, 38% good, and 9% excellent, in general sub-surface moisture levels continued to decline, with 66% reported as only poor to fair.
• Predominantly cool, damp conditions continued to cause hay quality to deteriorate, as well as promote disease in dry beans. Some spraying for Lygus Bugs is taking place, and a few reports of Sawfly damage are surfacing. In addition, grasshoppers continue to be a problem in eastern areas around Jenner and Gem.
• Overall, crops are looking very well, with 80% to 90% rated as good to excellent. Some swathing is beginning to take place, primarily for winter cereals, barley and canola.
• First cut dryland haying has pretty much wrapped up, with 96% reported as complete.

• While heavy rains in western portions have provided enough moisture for near perfect growing conditions, they have also slowed down haying progress. Unfortunately, some severe hailstorms also accompanied these weather disturbances, causing substantial damage in localized areas.
• Eastern portions (east of Highway 41) did not receive these rains. Chronically low sub-soil and surface moisture levels in this area continue to accelerate crop deterioration and propagate heavy grasshopper infestations.
• In general, harvest is still 1-2 weeks away. Nearly 100% of canola has podded out and first cut haying operations are progressing well, with nearly 66% reported as complete. However, the majority of hay harvested is rated poor to fair for quality.
• 74% of pastures remain in poor to fair condition.

• Crops are beginning to ripen quite rapidly with 90% of spring cereals and dry peas, and 86% of canola in good to excellent condition. Canola is 100% podded and cereals are primarily in the early dough stage.
• Light showers throughout the region resulted in little progress in haying. Nevertheless, the first cut is 66% complete. However, due to the damp weather, nearly 88% is rated poor to fair for quality.
• Some powdery mildew is beginning to show up in dry peas. As well, some pockets of severe grasshopper damage have been reported south of Provost.
• Sub-soil moisture levels continue to suffer, with 52% rated as poor to fair. As a result, 74% of pasture remains in poor to fair condition.

• Although canola is 100% podded, spring cereals seem to be somewhat behind normal development, with the majority being in the medium to late milk stage. Crop conditions continue to be positive, with 83% of spring cereals and 78% of canola in good to excellent condition.
• Small amounts of light rain every few days have hampered haying efforts. Nevertheless, the first cut is nearly 94% complete. Yields are averaging 1.1 tons/acre, with 58% rated poor to fair for quality.
• Some leaf disease and smut are showing up in barley.

• Light to heavy rainfall received throughout this Region over the past couple of weeks should help to fill crops and improve pasture conditions. However, in most areas this precipitation has come too late to help this year's crop. No hail was reported.
• Sub-surface moisture continues to be a concern, with over 81% rated as only poor to fair.
• Canola and dry peas have finished flowering, but Flea Beetle infestations remain a problem for canola producers.

Other Documents in the Series