| | In general, crop condition ratings remain good to excellent in all areas. However, there has been some decline in overall crop conditions in the Peace Region due to a lack of moisture. Provincially, 88 to 91 per cent of spring cereals, canola and dry peas are in good to excellent condition (see Table 1). Over the past two weeks, scattered hailstorms across the North East and North West Regions were reported with minor to heavy damage in some areas.
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Overall, soil moisture reserves in the province are fair to excellent. Sub-surface soil moisture ratings are at 87 per cent good to excellent condition (Table 2). The only area reporting above 90 per cent of good to excellent sub-surface moisture is the Central Region. Soil moisture is still a concern in the Peace, where precipitation received recently has been in form of scattered thunderstorms.
Harvest of winter wheat and fall rye is underway in South, Central and North East Regions. In the Southern Region, swathing of spring wheat, durum, barley, oats and canola has just started. Harvest is expected to be in full progress across the province within the next two weeks.
Producers continue to make good haying progress. First cut haying operations is 84 per cent complete across the province. With respect to quality, 79 per cent of the hay crop is rated as good to excellent, 19 per cent as fair and two per cent as poor. Tame hay and pasture growth is rated as 82 per cent good to excellent, 17 per cent as fair, and one per cent as poor.
 
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.
Regional Assessments:
The 2012 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:
Region One: Southern (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
- Crop development is advancing quickly with the hot and dry weather. Overall, 92 to 95 per cent of spring wheat, canola, barley and dry peas are in good to excellent condition. Crop damage from gophers was reported in some areas.
- Harvest of winter wheat and fall rye is underway, with three per cent in the bin. Also, 15 per cent of winter wheat and 19 per cent of fall rye are in swath. Producers have started swathing spring wheat, durum, barley, oats and canola. Yield potentials are generally above average.
- For the first cut haying operation, it is 100 per cent complete on irrigated land and 97 per cent on dryland. The second cut haying operation is underway, with 16 per cent of irrigated land complete. Pasture is rated as good to excellent.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
- During the last two weeks, the region has experienced hot and dry weather with spotty hailstorms. For the most part, hail damage was relatively minor. Moisture reserves are rated 91 per cent good to excellent. Approximately four per cent of winter wheat and 10 per cent of fall rye have been swathed.
- Overall, more than 90 per cent of spring wheat, barley, oats, canola and dry peas are rated as good to excellent condition. Crop damage from grasshoppers and gophers was reported in some areas.
- First cut haying operations have advanced with 71 per cent complete on dryland and 100 per cent complete on irrigated land. Pasture is mostly in good to excellent condition.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
- Over the past two weeks, the region has experienced warm weather, rain and severe thunderstorms with light to heavy damage in localized areas. Moisture reserves are mostly good to excellent. Harvest is underway, with four per cent of winter wheat and 15 per cent of fall rye in swath.
- Overall in the region, about 90 per cent of canola and spring wheat and 85 per cent of barley, oats and dry peas, are in good to excellent condition.
- First cut dryland haying operation is estimated at 73 per cent complete, with good yields and fair to excellent quality. Tame hay and pasture conditions range from fair to excellent.
- Some regions have reported minor issues with gophers, root maggots and army cutworms.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
- Scattered showers were reported throughout the region. Hailstorms caused crop damage in several areas. Crop condition remain in the 90 per cent of good to excellent range for spring wheat, barley, oats, dry peas and canola.
- Excellent moisture conditions are reported throughout the region. Overall, surface moisture is rated as five per cent fair, 60 per cent good and 35 per cent excellent.
- First cut haying is progressing slowly due to the rainfall, with 93 per cent complete. Good yields and good to excellent quality are reported. Tame hay and pasture conditions vary from fair to excellent.
- Minor issues with grasshoppers, lygus bugs and gophers were reported throughout the region.
Five: Peace River (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
- The region experienced hot and dry weather over the past two weeks with spotty thunderstorms. Crop condition ratings have declined slightly, but remain very good. Crops are mostly in good to excellent condition. About 80 per cent of spring wheat, barley, oats, and dry peas, and 77 per cent of canola are in good to excellent condition.
- There has been lack of precipitation, especially in northern part of the region. Surface moisture is rated as two per cent poor, 16 per cent fair, 47 per cent good and 35 per cent excellent.
- First cut haying operations are 90 per cent complete. Good yields with fair to excellent quality are reported. Tame hay and pasture growth is rated mostly as fair to excellent.
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Economics and Competitiveness Division
Statistics and Data Development Branch
August 10, 2012
Lukas Matejovsky, Crop Statistician
E-mail: lukas.matejovsky@gov.ab.ca
Phone: 780-422-2887
Note to Users: The contents of this document may not be used or reproduced without properly accrediting Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Economics and Competitiveness Division, Statistics and Data Development Branch. |
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