Crop Conditions as of July 16, 2013

Precipitation varied across the province, from spotty showers in eastern areas of the province, to heavy rain in central and south-west areas. Scattered hailstorms were reported in most regions, with the exception of the Peace Region. For the most part, hail damage was minor.

Precipitation and warm temperatures across all regions in the province have advanced crop development. Spring cereals are in the late head emergence to early flowering stages, while oilseeds and pulses are mostly flowering.

Grasshoppers have been reported in the North East, North West and Peace Regions. Producers have also started spraying fungicide for disease control, mostly in cereal and canola crops. In the southern part of the province, stripe rust has been reported in some winter wheat crops.

Surface soil moisture conditions remain virtually unchanged from last week, with 87 per cent of the province rated good to excellent. Sub-surface soil moisture conditions have improved by five per cent to 90 per cent of the province rated good to excellent. Areas with excessive moisture decreased slightly, from four per cent to two per cent, with the Central Region reporting the greatest decline (see Table 2).

The warm weather is also allowing producers to make good progress with haying operations, with 82 per cent of irrigated and 40 per cent of dryland haying being completed across the province.

REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS:
The 2013 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:

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

• Crop growth conditions continue to be very favourable, despite dry conditions in the eastern part of the region. Light to heavy rain fell over most areas of the region and has helped crops to advance. Localized hail storms have caused damage, especially in Forty Mile and Wheatland Counties.
• Spring cereals are in the late head emergence to early flowering stages, while oilseeds and pulses are mostly flowering.
• Crop condition continue to be rated well above long term averages. Among major crops, between 89 and 91 per cent of spring wheat, canola, barley, oats and dry peas are in good to excellent condition.
• First cut haying operations are well underway, with 88 per cent of irrigated and 67 per cent of dryland complete. Pasture and tame hay are reported at 75 per cent and 73 per cent in good to excellent condition, respectively.

• The region experienced mainly warm and dry weather conditions in the eastern part and light to heavy showers in the western part. Overall, crops are in good to excellent condition. About 83 per cent to 86 per cent of canola, barley, oats, and spring wheat, and 88 per cent of dry peas, are in good to excellent condition.
• Warmer temperatures have helped advance crops in most areas of the region. In general, 89 per cent of canola is flowering, while about three per cent is still in the rosette stage and eight per cent is podding. Most cereal crops are in the early to late emergence stage.
• Scattered hailstorms were reported throughout the region with minor damage. Sub-surface moisture reserves are rated at 89 per cent good to excellent, with five per cent rated as excessive.
• First cut haying operations have advanced with 20 per cent now complete on dryland and 10 per cent complete on irrigated land. Pasture is rated as good to excellent.

• During the last two weeks, the region has experienced warm weather with long anticipated showers in some areas. Overall, crops are in good to excellent condition. About 84 to 86 per cent of spring wheat, barley, oats and canola are in good to excellent condition.
• Cereal crop development is in the early boot to head emergence stages, while 86 per cent of canola is flowering.
• The first cut dryland haying operation is estimated to be 42 per cent complete, with 83 per cent rated as good to excellent quality. Tame hay and pasture conditions are rated as 77 per cent and 73 per cent good to excellent, respectively.

• Crop growing conditions continue to be very favourable across the region. In general, the condition of most crops is rated as good to excellent. Regionally, about 91 per cent of spring wheat and barley, and about 95 per cent of oats, canola and dry peas are in good to excellent condition.
• Scattered hailstorms were reported in most areas of the region, with minor damage. Producers have also started spraying fungicide for disease control, mostly in cereal and canola crops.
• First cut haying is underway, but spotty showers are causing delay and affecting quality in localized areas. About 31 per cent of haying is complete with good yields and mostly good quality. Tame hay and pasture are rated at 99 per cent good to excellent condition.

• The recent warm weather and scattered rain throughout the region have helped with crop development. Spring wheat, barley and oats are in the late head emergence to early flowering stages, while 85 per cent of canola is flowering and 15 per cent is podding.
• Crop conditions remain virtually unchanged from two weeks ago with about 94 per cent of spring wheat, barley and oats, and about 90 per cent of canola and dry peas rated as good to excellent. Some producers reported problems with lygus bugs.
• ˇHaying operations were delayed by rain during the end of June, but recent warm weather is allowing producers to make progress. About 13 per cent is now complete with good yields and excellent quality being reported. Tame hay and pasture growth are both rated as 100 per cent good to excellent.