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Alberta Crop Conditions as of May 5, 2014
The lack of a prolonged period of warm weather in all regions of the province has hindered soil warming and caused significant seeding delays in some regions. To date, only 2% of crops have been seeded compared to the 5 year average of 7% and the long term average of 15%. Seeding delays are most evident in southern and east central Alberta with seeding 7 – 10 days behind as only 6% of crops have been seeded compared to the 5 year average of 17% and the long term average of 32%.
The condition of fall seeded crops are rated 69% good or excellent though winterkill this year may result in the need for some reseeding. Hay and pastures have been slow to start growth due to the cool weather. They are currently rated 7% poor; 38% fair; 44% good; 11% excellent.
Soil moisture is very good at this time with 93% of the province rating surface soil moisture as good or excellent. 5% of the province is rated excessive.
Regional Assessments:
The 2014 Alberta Crop Report Series provides summaries for the following five regions:
Region One: Southern (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
- ·Seeding progress has been slowed by the cold soil temperatures.
- 6% of seeding has been completed compared to 9% last year, the 5 year average of 17% and the long term average of 32%.
- 80% of region is rating hay & pasture conditions as good or excellent.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation,, Oyen)
- Seeding has been slowed in the east due to the cold temperatures and is about to get underway in the central and west.
- Approximately 1% of the acres have been seeded compared to a similar percentage last year, the 5 year average of 4% and the long term average of12%.
- 50% of hay and pastures in the region are rated good or excellent with remainder down rated due to the slow start to growth.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
- A small amount of seeding has occurred to date but should be going in earnest shortly.
- Less than 1% of acres have been seeded thus far, slightly better than in 2013. The 5 year average for the region is 2% and the long term average is 5% seeded at this time.
- 46% of hay and pastures in the region are rated good or excellent with the remainder down rated due to the slow start to growth.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
- Nothing occurring across the region as the cold spring delayed snow melt and land remains too wet to support field activity.
- In 2013, seeding progress was zero based upon similar conditions. The 5 year average for the region is 2% and the long term average is 5%.
- Hay and pastures are rated as fair based upon the marginal start to growth experienced to date.
Region Five: Peace River (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
- No seeding to date, similar to 2013. The cold spring delayed snow melt and has slowed soil dry up.
- Currently, no seeding is being reported, similar to 2013. The 5 year average for the Peace River region is 2% completed while the long term average is 11% seeded.
- Hay and pasture conditions are rated at over 90% good or excellent.
Agriculture Financial Services Corporation
James Wright, Risk Analyst
Actuarial, Analytics & Forecasting Unit
Email: james.wright@afsc.ca
Telephone: (403)782-8336
Lacombe, Alberta
May 9, 2014
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