Alberta Crop Report - May 11, 2006

Prepared by:
James Wright
Project Manager
Research and Program Development
Lacombe, AB
Telephone: 403-782-8336

Provincial
The crop-growing season is off to a good start in virtually all areas of the province, possibly the best start in quite some time despite some local concerns. Soil moisture is very good in most areas with over 80% of the province rated as good to excellent for both surface and subsoil moisture.


87% of the fall-seeded crops, 80% of the tame hay and 76% of the pastures are rated in good to excellent condition.

Lethbridge Region
Lack of moisture is not an issue in southern Alberta this year, with only the extreme southeast corner reporting a need for rain. In fact, the opposite is true with seeding operations being hampered by wet fields as a result of the wet weather experienced last fall. 95% of the region is rating surface moisture as good to excellent with 93% rated similarly for subsoil moisture.



98% of the fall-seeded crops, 96% of the tame hay and 93% of the pastures are rated in good to excellent condition.

Red Deer Region
Seeding is off to a good start as dry weather since late April has provided good drying conditions. There are wet field issues in some areas but nothing significant at this time. Currently, over 95% of the region is rating both surface and subsoil moisture as good to excellent.



98% of fall-seeded crops and 92% of tame hay and pasture crops are rated in good to excellent condition.

Camrose Region
Seeding progress has been slowed across the region by cool temperatures and precipitation that is delaying field drying. Cold, below freezing, night temperatures are negatively affecting the early growth of forage crops. There is a very small area just north and west of Edmonton that is currently under a drought alert. This area has shrunken considerably over the winter period.

In the eastern half of the region (east of Edmonton), 100% of the area is being rated good to excellent for both surface and subsoil moisture. 100% of fall seeded crops and 80% of tame hay and pastures are being rated in good to excellent condition.



In the western half of the region, seeding operations are a little more advanced due to being able to get an earlier start. Surface moisture is good with 82% of the region rated good to excellent but subsoil moisture could be a concern in the future depending upon precipitation during the growing season. Currently, subsoil moisture is rated 10% poor/ 14% fair/ 64% good/ 12% excellent.



85% of fall-seeded crops, 80% of tame hay and 75% of pastures are rated in good to excellent condition.

Fairview Region
Most areas in the Peace River district received below average snowfall this past winter. This provided many areas with the opportunity to get an early start to the season as some areas were able to begin seeding as early as the latter part of April. Most areas in the region are considered dry with the most profound area of dryness being across the central portion, which is under a drought alert. The southern portion has received some showers that have provided some temporary relief to the dry conditions while the northern portion had better snowfall and is approaching normal moisture conditions. Some seeding is being delayed in hopes of planting into better soil moisture conditions. Daytime temperatures have been near normal but cool nights has slowed soil warming and delayed crop emergence. Surface moisture is rated as 24% poor/ 55% fair/ 21% good. Subsoil moisture is rated as 15% poor/ 48% fair/ 34% good/ 3% excellent.



Fall seeded crops are rated 73% fair and 24% good. Tame hay is rated 6% poor/ 45% fair/ 49% good. Pastures are rated 17% poor/ 45% fair/ 38% good.