Alberta Crop Conditions as of July 29, 2014

The July 29, 2014 Crop Report is also available as a PDF file on the AFSC website.

Much needed precipitation fell in all regions with the exception of Southern Alberta. With most crops now entering the kernel filling stage, this moisture will be very beneficial for both yield and maturity. Crop condition ratings declined 1% to 75% rated good or excellent. Ratings declined in the South and Central regions but were offset by rating improvements in the North East and North West regions, per Table #1.

The first yield estimates of the season for major crops are reported in Table #2. Initial estimates place provincial yields at 105% of the Alberta historical 10 year average though down 10 – 15% from the yields of 2013. Sub soil moisture ratings are unchanged from last report at 72% rated good or excellent.

First cut haying is winding down with dryland at 87% and irrigated at 99% completed. Yields are average to slightly below average due to the cool temperatures early in the season which retarded growth. Quality is good with 80% of the dryland crop and 93% of the irrigated crop rated as good or excellent. Hay/pasture ratings improved 1% to 71% good or excellent. Most regions showed little change this week with the exception of the North West region which reported significant improvement due to the precipitation received. Provincial ratings are as follows: Poor 6%; Fair 23%; Good 60%; Excellent 11%.



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

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

• Hot, dry weather across much of the region.
• Spr. Cereals in late pollination stage; Winter Cereals in soft dough stage; Canola at 75% podding; Field Peas at 85% podding.
• Crop Condition ratings average 81.3% good or excellent; 5 year average of 76.4%.
• Initial yield estimates are average to slightly above average; 15 – 20% below 2013 yields.
• Sub soil moisture ratings at 73% good or excellent
• 1^st cut dryland and irrigated haying virtually completed. Hay/pastures rated 70% good or excellent.

• Much of region received 15 – 50 mm of precipitation.
• Spr. Cereals in mid pollination stage; Winter Cereals in early dough stage; Canola at 63% podding; Field Peas at 73% podding.
• Crop Condition ratings average 63.7% good or excellent; 5 year average of 73.4%.
• Initial yield estimates are 5% above 10 year historical averages; 20 – 25% below 2013 yields.
• Sub soil moisture ratings down 1% at 64% good or excellent
• 1^st cut dryland haying is 85% completed. Hay/pastures rated 58% good or excellent

• Region received precipitation in amounts from showers to 50 mm.
• Spr. Cereals in late pollination stage; Winter Cereals in soft dough stage; Canola at 70% podding; Field Peas at 92% podding.
• Crop Condition ratings average 88.3% good or excellent; 5 year average of 68.0%.
• Initial yield estimates are 14% above 10 year historical averages; 5 - 10% below 2013 yields.
• Sub soil moisture ratings up 1% at 95% good or excellent
• 1^st cut dryland haying is 76% completed. Hay/pastures rated 94% good or excellent

• Much of region received 25 – 50 mm of precipitation.
• Spr. Cereals in early milk stage; Canola at 76% podding; Field Peas at 85% podding.
• Crop Condition ratings average 91.4% good or excellent; 5 year average of 64.9%.
• Initial yield estimates are 14% above 10 year historical averages; 5 - 10% below 2013 yields.
• Sub soil moisture ratings unchanged at 50% good or excellent; surface soil moisture at 96%.
• 1^st cut dryland haying is 84% completed. Hay/pastures rated 82% good or excellent

• Much of region received 15 – 35 mm of precipitation.
• Spr. Cereals in early milk stage; Canola at 80% podding; Field Peas at 90% podding.
• Crop Condition ratings average 47.7% good or excellent; 5 year average of 59.9%.
• Initial yield estimates are 20% above 10 year historical averages; 10 - 20% below 2013 yields.
• Sub soil moisture ratings unchanged at 61% good or excellent
• 1^st cut dryland haying is nearing completion. Hay/pastures rated 55% good or excellent