Alberta Crop Conditions as of June 30, 2014

The June 30, 2014 Crop Report is also available as a PDF file on the AFSC website.

Crop development continues to lag long term averages in all regions. Spring cereals average early stem elongation stage to early flag leaf, winter cereals are in the process of heading while canola and peas are beginning to flower.

83% of crops in the province are rated in good or excellent condition (Table 1), an improvement of 7% from June 17, down 2% from 2013 but well above the 5 year historical average of 69%. Soil moisture is good to very good in all regions with significant improvements in the Central region. Soils in the North East are approaching saturation while the Peace River region would benefit greatly from a general rain event.

First cut haying is getting underway with less than 1% completed. This is 7 – 10 days later than average. Pasture/hay conditions (Table 2) are very good with 86% of the province rated as good or excellent.


Regional Assessments:
The 2014 Alberta Crop Report Series provides summaries for the following five regions:

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

• Light to moderate showers throughout the region.
• Virtually all crops are rated at 85% good/excellent condition or better.
• Spr. Cereals – average early flag leaf stage; Canola – 17% flowering.
• Sub soil moisture ratings improved 1% to 80% good or excellent.
• First cut dryland & irrigated haying underway with 1% completed.

• Precipitation in central and eastern portions of region has significantly improved crop conditions.
• 76% of crops in the region rated as good or excellent, up 18% from 2 weeks ago.
• Spr. Cereals – early to mid stem elongation; Canola – 7% flowering
• Sub soil moisture ratings improved 18% to 83% good or excellent.

• Heavy rains have saturated soils. Surface excessive moisture rated at 8%.
• 91% of crops rated in good or excellent condition, unchanged from 2 weeks ago.
• Spr. Cereals – early to mid stem elongation; Canola – 6% flowering.
• Sub soil moisture rated at 94% good or excellent, up 1% from June 17.
• No haying reported to date.

• Showery activity maintaining high soil moisture ratings and excellent crop condition ratings.
• 93% of crops rated in good or excellent condition, up 15% due to significant improvement to canola.
• Spr. Cereals – mid stem elongation; Canola – 84% in rosette stage/no flowering.
• Sub soil moisture rated at 97% good or excellent, unchanged from June 17.
• Haying has started but nothing completed at this time.

• Precipitation in form of scattered showers. A general rain is needed
• 62% of crops rated in good or excellent condition, down 1% from June 17^th. 25% rated fair
• Spr. Cereals – early flag leaf stage; Canola – 7% flowering but 56% still in 4-6 leaf stage.
• Sub soil moisture rated at 82% good or excellent, down 3%.
• 3% of haying completed.