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· The month of June saw highly variable amounts of precipitation fall in the province from near excessive amounts of 150-250% of normal in the Peace region, to above average quantities of 100-200% in the North West, to below average of 50-100% in the North East, and dry conditions to the Central and South regions at 35-50% of normal. Regional crop condition ratings reflect these moisture differences. Crop ratings declined this week in the South and Central regions due to the continuing dry conditions, were unchanged in the North East, and are reflecting the effects of the wet soil conditions on growth in the North West and Peace regions (See Table 1). Currently, crops provincially are rated 79% in good or excellent condition, down 2 points on the week, compared to last year at 30%, the 5 year average of 73% and the long term average of 70%. The past week brought spotty showers and some hail to most areas. Surface soil moisture ratings declined 1 percentage point to 75% good or excellent, and subsoil moisture ratings declined 2 points to 64% good or excellent.
· Haying is underway in virtually all areas of the province with 20% of the 1st cut dryland crop and 35% of the 1st cut irrigated alfalfa crop baled. Hay yields are below average due to the slow start to growth this spring caused by the cool, dry weather. Early quality has been very good with over 80% rated good or excellent. 67% of hay land and 70% of pastures are currently rated in good or excellent condition.
Note to Users: The contents of this document may not be used or reproduced without properly accrediting Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Economics and Competitiveness Branch, Statistics and Data Development Section
The 2016 Alberta crop reporting series is available on the Internet at: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sdd4191
REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS:
The 2016 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:
Region One: Southern (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
- Crop development – Spr. cereals in early head emergence; Winter cereals have completed pollination; Canola at 45% rosette/48% flowering; Field peas are 56% flowering/5% podding.
- Regional crop condition rating down 4 points to 67% good or excellent; 5 year avg – 79%; long term avg – 77%. Individual crop ratings declined 5-7 points on all major crops.
- Surface moisture declined 5 points to 50% rated good/exc. Subsoil moisture at 51% good/exc. (down 4 points).
- 1st cut dryland hay is 50% completed; 1st cut irrigated hay is 63% complete..
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
- Crop Development – Spr. cereals entering boot stage; Winter cereals are pollinating; Canola at 55% rosette/ 22% flowering; Field peas 44% flowering.
- Regional crop condition rating declined 2 points to 73% good or excellent; 5 year avg – 73%; long term avg – 71%. Ratings declined for spring wheat (-2), canola (-4). Ratings improved for barley (+1), oats (+2), peas (+3).
- Surface moisture declined 2 points to 61% rated good/exc. Subsoil moisture at 63% good/exc. (down 5 points).
- 1st cut dryland haying is 17% completed.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
- Crop Development – Spr. cereals in late stem elongation to early boot stage; Winter cereals are in early to mid milk stage; Canola at 57% rosette/10% flowering; Field peas are 25% flowering.
- Regional crop condition rating is unchanged at 92% good or excellent; 5 year avg – 68%; long term avg – 67%. Crop ratings declined for spring wheat, barley & field peas (-1). Ratings for canola improved (+2).
- Surface moisture unchanged at 98% good or exc. Subsoil moisture at 67% good/exc. (down 2 points).
- 1st cut dryland haying is 3% completed.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
- Crop Development – Spr. cereals entering boot stage; Canola at 77% rosette/2% flowering; Field peas are 13% flowering
- Regional crop condition rating declined 4 points to 91% good or excellent; 5 year avg – 67%; long term avg – 66%. Crop ratings declined for spring wheat, barley & oats (-2), canola (-7).
- Surface moisture unchanged at 99% good or exc. Subsoil moisture at 69% good/exc. (down 1 point).
- 1st cut dryland haying is 2% completed.
Region Five: Peace River (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
- Crop Development – Spr. cereals in early boot stage; Canola at 52% rosette/32% flowering; Field peas are 25% flowering.
- Regional crop condition rating is virtually unchanged at 81% good or excellent; 5 year avg – 71%; long term avg – 64%. Ratings declined for spring wheat, and field peas (-1), but improved for canola (+1). Barley and oat ratings were unchanged,
- Surface moisture improved 3 points to 91% good or exc. An additional 6% of the region is rated as excessive. Subsoil moisture rated at 88% good/exc.(improvement of 4 points)
- 1st cut dryland haying is 6% completed.
Agriculture Financial Services Corporation
James Wright, Risk Analyst
Actuarial, Analytics & Forecasting Unit
E-mail: james.wright@afsc.ca
Phone: 403-782-8336
Lacombe, Alberta
June 30, 2016
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