Crop Conditions as of June 16, 2011

Seeding is completed in the North East and Peace Regions, and near completion in the North West and Central Regions. Seeding in the Southern Region is estimated at 93 per cent complete, compared to 87 per cent two weeks ago, and 91 per cent at this time last year. Due to excessive moisture, most unseeded fields are likely to end up as summerfallow.

Major and specialty crops are mostly in good condition, although development is 1-2 weeks behind normal, mainly as a result of delayed seeding and cool temperatures. Provincially, spring wheat is rated as three per cent poor, 22 per cent fair, 60 per cent good, and 15 per cent excellent, with similar ratings reported for barley and oats. Canola is rated as 10 per cent poor, 25 per cent fair, 50 per cent good, and 15 per cent excellent. Due to excessive moisture, crops in some low lying fields are turning yellow, mostly in the Southern Region. Spraying for weed control in the province is estimated at 43 per cent complete, significantly behind most years.

With the recent rain, pasture and tame hay conditions are improving, although growth in many areas has been significantly behind normal. Provincially, pasture conditions are rated as 13 per cent poor, 21 per cent fair, 44 per cent good, and 22 per cent excellent, while tame hay growth is reported as 15 per cent poor, 17 per cent fair, 42 per cent good, and 26 per cent excellent. Weather permitting, haying operations are expected to begin in late June. In the Peace Region, pesticides are being applied to control grasshoppers and flea beetles. As well, some other areas of the province have reported pest concerns/problems, including flea beetles, army cutworms, wireworms, lygus bugs and gophers. Our thanks to Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen, staff of AFSC and the Alberta Ag-Info Centre for their partnership and contribution to the Alberta Crop Reporting Program. The precipitation map is compiled by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Environmental Stewardship Division, Technology and Innovation Branch

• Cool, damp conditions continue to hamper seeding and other field operations. Overall, seeding is estimated at 93 per cent complete, compared to 87 per cent two weeks ago, and 91 per cent at this time last year. Most unseeded fields are likely to end up as summerfallow. Spraying for weed control is about one-quarter complete.
• Major and specialty crops are mostly in good condition, although development is 1-2 weeks behind normal, mainly as a result of delayed seeding and cool temperatures. Due to excessive moisture, crops in some low lying fields are turning yellow.
• Many fields are saturated and excessive moisture remains a problem. Overall, surface moisture is rated as 13 per cent good, 53 per cent excellent and 34 per cent excessive.
• Pasture and tame hay are generally in good condition.

• Seeding in the region is near completion. Some fields will not be seeded, due to excessive moisture. Crops are generally in good condition, although development is 1-2 weeks behind normal. Spraying for weed control is about 27 per cent complete. Also, some areas have reported problems/concerns with flea beetles, army cutworms, wireworms and gophers.
• With the recent rain, soil moisture reserves are generally adequate. Overall, surface moisture is reported as five per cent fair, 30 per cent good, 60 per cent excellent and five per cent excessive.
• Pasture conditions are improving and rated as five per cent fair, 53 per cent good, and 42 per cent excellent. A similar rating is reported for tame hay.

• Rain showers have brought much needed moisture to the region, although many areas have received less than 10 mm. Overall, surface moisture conditions have improved, and are reported as 21 per cent poor, 30 per cent fair, 41 per cent good and eight per cent excellent. Just to note, following the completion of this survey, the region received significant precipitation, over the period: June 17-20.
• Seeding in the region is completed. Due to frost damage, some canola fields have been reseeded. Crops are mostly in fair to good condition, while development is 1-2 weeks behind normal, due to a combination of late seeding, dry conditions, low temperatures and frost damage. Spraying for weed control is estimated at 39 per cent complete.
• Pasture and tame hay growth has been slow, and is rated as 43 per cent poor, 30 per cent fair, 25 per cent good, and two per cent excellent.

• The region has received significant amounts of precipitation, replenishing soil moisture reserves. Overall, surface moisture is rated as three per cent poor, nine per cent fair, 62 per cent good, 24 per cent excellent and two per cent excessive.
• Seeding in the region is near completion. Due to excessive moisture, a small amount of crop land intended for seeding is likely to end up as summerfallow. Crop conditions are mostly rated as fair to good, while development is 1-2 weeks behind normal. Spraying for weed control is estimated at 60 per cent complete.
• With the recent rain, pasture and tame hay conditions are improving, although growth has been significantly behind most years, due to cool temperatures and a lack of moisture.

• Rain showers have brought significant amounts of precipitation to most areas of the region. Overall, surface moisture is rated as one per cent poor, 14 per cent fair, 36 per cent good, 44 per cent excellent and five per cent excessive.
• Seeding in the region is completed. Crops are mostly in good condition. In some areas, pesticides are being applied to control grasshoppers and flea beetles. Spraying for weed control is estimated at 71 per cent complete. Also, some areas have reported light to moderate crop damage from frost.
• Overall, pasture condition is rated as 14 per cent poor, 29 per cent fair, 50 per cent good, and seven per cent excellent. A similar rating is reported for tame hay.