Crop Conditions as of May 26, 2005

Attached is the .pdf file with the precipitation maps.

Welcome to the 2005 Alberta crop reporting series. Again this year, the delivery of the Alberta Crop Reporting Program is being done in partnership with Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) and a number of Agricultural Fieldmen.

The 2005 crop season in Alberta began under cool weather conditions. Low temperatures, sometimes accompanied by frosts, delayed seeding operations and crop emergence. Additionally, due to the lack of precipitation and strong winds, much of moisture reserves have been depleted in many areas of the Southern and Central Regions. However, resulting from the recent rain showers, soil moisture is reported mostly good to excellent in the Northeast, Northwest and Peace Regions. Provincially, surface moisture is rated as 13% poor, 24% fair, 35% good, and 28% excellent, while rating of sub-surface moisture is 13% poor, 30% fair, 45% good, and 12% excellent.

Alberta producers have planted 86% of the 2005 crop, in line with seeding progress in most years. The Southern Region is the most advanced at 93% complete, followed by the Central and Northeast Regions at 88%. The Northwest Region lags behind, with only 68% of seeding completed, while in the Peace Region, it is about 78% complete. Estimates of provincial seeding progress by crop is as follows: spring wheat 92%, durum wheat 97%, oats 67%, barley 80%, canola 90%, and dry peas 98%. Some fields were reseeded, due to damage from frosts and winterkill. Early seeded crops have emerged or are emerging. Spraying for post-emergent weed control is underway in southern Alberta.

Pasture and tame hay growth is slow in the Southern and Central Regions, while better growth is reported in northern Alberta (including the Peace Region). Provincially, pasture and tame hay are rated as 14% poor, 30% fair, 49% good, and 7% excellent.

Spring runoff and strong winds have caused soil erosion in some areas. Concerns on brown wheat mite, flea beetles, wireworm, and cutworm are also reported. The majority of over-wintered 2004 crops have been harvested. Supplies of feed grains and forages in the province are generally adequate.

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 2005 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:

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

• Seeding is virtually complete in the eastern areas of the region, while it is only about 70-80% done in the southwestern parts. Overall, seeding is estimated at 93% complete in the region. Some canola and sugar beets were reseeded, due to damage from frosts.
• Seeding of specialty crops grown primarily in southern Alberta is virtually complete.
• A lack of general rainfall had many producers concerned about the increasing dryness in the region, resulting in the need for irrigation. Overall in the region, surface moisture is rated as 29% poor, 44% fair, and 27% good, while rating of sub-surface moisture is 18% poor, 49% fair, 31% good, and 2% excellent.
• Pasture and tame hay growth is slow, due to cool temperatures and lack of moisture. Pasture is rated as 27% poor, 42% fair, 30% good, and 1% excellent.

• Seeding is estimated at about 88% complete in the region.
• With only spotty rain showers received, dry conditions remain a major concern in most areas of the region. Overall, surface moisture is rated as 28% poor, 39% fair, 29% good, and 4% excellent, while sub-surface moisture is reported as 36% poor, 36% fair, 24% good, and 4% excellent.
• Pasture condition is reported as 30% poor, 46% fair, 22% good, and 2% excellent. Rating of tame hay is 28% poor, 44% fair, 25% good, and 3% excellent.

• Seeding has been progressing well, and is estimated at about 88% complete in the region.
• Rain showers brought variable amounts of precipitation across the region during the last two weeks. Surface moisture is rated as 7% fair, 48% good, and 45% excellent, while rating of sub-surface moisture is 2% poor, 26% fair, 61% good, and 11% excellent.
• The majority of pasture and tame hay is reported in good condition.

• Being hindered by recent rain showers, seeding is only 68% complete in the region.
• Surface moisture in the region is rated as 4% poor, 22% fair, 53% good, and 21% excellent, while sub-surface moisture is reported as 6% poor, 25% fair, 51% good, and 18% excellent.
• More than one-half of pasture and tame hay in the region are rated as good or excellent.

• Seeding is estimated at 78% complete in the region.
• Rain showers brought significant precipitation across the region. Surface moisture is rated as 3% fair, 19% good, and 78% excellent, while rating of sub-surface moisture is 1% poor, 12% fair, 62% good, and 25% excellent.
• Pasture and tame hay are developing nicely and are mostly in good or excellent condition.
• Frost is reported in many areas.