Crop Conditions as of May 22, 2018 (Abbreviated Report)
Warm and dry weather over the past week provided favorable conditions for seeding operations in most of the province. Provincially, seeding progress has increased 30 per cent from a week ago, to 67 per cent complete, compared to the 5-year average (2013-2017) of 83 per cent (see Table 1). Regionally, seeding progress is most advanced in the Southern Region at 77 per cent, followed by the Central Region at 69 per cent, both the North East and North West Regions are at 63 per cent and the Peace Region is at 60 per cent. About 19 per cent of crops across the province have now emerged.
Pasture, tame hay fields and fall seeded crops also benefited from the warm temperatures. Pasture and tame hay growing conditions have improved from last week for all regions. Provincially, pasture conditions (tame hay conditions are in brackets) are reported as three (one) per cent poor, 23 (24) per cent fair, 68 (69) per cent good and six (six) per cent excellent. Fall seeded crops conditions are rated as three per cent poor, 22 per cent fair, 65 per cent good and 10 per cent excellent.
Warm temperatures and windy conditions, on the other hand have reduced surface soil moisture in some areas, especially in the Southern and Peace Regions (see map). Excessive soil moisture levels have declined for all regions, with the North East and North West Regions falling the most. Provincially, surface soil moisture (sub-surface soil moisture ratings shown in brackets) is rated at five (five) per cent poor, 22 (18) per cent fair, 42 (43) per cent good and 27 (32) per cent excellent, with four (two) per cent excessive (see Table 2).
REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS:
The 2018 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:
Region One: Southern (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
- Rain showers over the past week slowed down the seeding operations for a couple of days in some areas, but were welcomed in the Region. Seeding progress in this Region advanced 23 per cent from last week, to 77 per cent now complete, while 37 per cent of crops have emerged (up 29 per cent from a week ago). Most cereals are in the six-leaf unfolded stage of growth. There is still standing water in some low spots, due to run off.
- About 77 per cent of spring wheat, 73 per cent of barley, 69 per cent of oats, 75 per cent of canola and 88 per cent of dry peas have now been seeded.
- Both pasture and tame hay conditions improved from a week ago. Pasture conditions (Tame hay conditions shown in brackets) are reported as nine (two) per cent poor, 19 (22) per cent fair, 61 (67) per cent good and 11 (nine) per cent excellent.
- Conditions for fall seeded crops are rated as one per cent poor, 15 per cent fair, 64 per cent good and 20 per cent excellent.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
- Hot and dry weather enabled producers in the Region to progress seeding by 40 per cent. Now, about 69 per cent of crops are seeded, with 19 per cent of crops emerged. Rain is needed in the Region to help germination and to keep hay, pasture and fall seeded crops actively growing.
- About 74 per cent of spring wheat, 59 per cent of barley, 41 per cent of oats, 68 per cent of canola and 95 per cent of dry peas have now been seeded.
- Hay and pasture fields are in good shape and improved from a week ago. Pasture conditions are now reported as 23 per cent fair, 72 per cent good and five per cent excellent, with similar ratings for tame hay.
- Fall seeded crops are rated as four per cent poor, 20 per cent fair, 69 per cent good and seven per cent excellent.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
- Warm and dry weather has provided favorable seeding conditions in the Region. Seeding is now 63 per cent complete, up 33 per cent from a week ago, with 14 per cent of the crops emerged.
- About 73 per cent of spring wheat, 40 per cent of barley, 33 per cent of oats, 57 per cent of canola and 95 per cent of dry peas have now been seeded.
- Pasture and tame hay growth conditions improved significantly from last week, but moisture will be needed soon to keep growing actively. Pasture conditions are reported as 24 per cent fair, 75 per cent good and one per cent excellent, with similar ratings for tame hay.
- For fall seeded crops, conditions are rated as five per cent poor, 32 per cent fair and 63 per cent good.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
- Favorable weather conditions advanced seeding operations by 27 per cent. Seeding is now 63 per cent complete, with 16 per cent of crops emerged. Surface and sub-surface soil moisture ratings have started to decline as a result of warm temperatures and windy conditions.
- About 80 per cent of spring wheat, 47 per cent of barley, 43 per cent of oats, 54 per cent of canola and 91 per cent of dry peas have now been seeded.
- Pasture and tame hay conditions improved from a week ago and are now reported as 35 per cent fair and 65 per cent good.
Region Five: Peace River (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
- While some areas had spotty and light rain showers, the warm and windy weather over the past week progressed seeding by 28 per cent. Seeding for the Region is now reported at 60 per cent complete, with about three per cent of crops emerged. Surface soil moisture has been declining and moisture will be needed for even germination.
- Nearly 69 per cent of spring wheat, 57 per cent of barley, 55 per cent of both oats and canola and 61 per cent of dry peas have now been seeded.
- Pasture and hay conditions are reported as 22 per cent fair, 68 per cent good and 10 per cent excellent.
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
Ashan Shooshtarian, Crop Statistician
Economics andCompetitiveness Branch
Statistics and Data Development Section
E-mail: ashan.shooshtariant@gov.ab.ca
Phone: 780-422-2887
May 25, 2018
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 2018 Alberta crop reporting series is available on the Internet at: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sdd4191
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