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Crop Conditions as of June 26, 2018
Weather conditions over the past week have varied greatly across Alberta in both temperatures and precipitation reported. Recent showers brought relief to crop advancement after a hot dry spell, but many areas remain dry (See Table 2 and Map). Simply put, many saw substantial rain and while others did not. Currently soil moisture reserves are slowly rebounding with recent rains, but still remain below normal across roughly 70 per cent of Alberta.
All regions are reporting a decline in crop conditions from the previous week with overall condition ratings now at 76.9 percent good or excellent as compared to last week’s 80.9 percent. Despite the challenging seeding season, crop conditions in the North East, North West and Peace are still higher than the five year average of 75.2, 69.5 and 67.3 per cent respectively (See Table 1). Canola emergence is especially spotty in fields due to either very dry or overly wet seeding conditions affecting germination. Producers are nearing the end of spraying season, however insect control, particularly in Central and North East regions, for wireworms, flea beetles and cutworms is ongoing.
Provincially the pasture and tame hay rating show some strong variances by region. Dryland and irrigated haying is underway in many areas. As a result of the poor spring moisture, yields are expected to be below normal.
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)
- The hot weather in the weeks start was soon replaced by cooler conditions with varying rainfall.
- Crop growing conditions moved from 72.6 per cent down to 71 per cent rated as good or excellent.
- Oilseeds and pulses in the early flowering stage, spring cereals in the early booting stage, and winter cereals are in the late head to early flowering stages.
- Sub-surface soil moisture has decreased 3.6 points with 49.1 per cent now rated as good or better.
- Haying has recently begun, with early estimations of dryland tame hay yields below normal.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
- The region experienced warmer temperatures and quite a variance of welcomed rainfall.
- Crop growing conditions moved from 69.9 per cent to 63.7 per cent rated good or excellent.
- Oilseeds & pulses are late rosette to early flowering stages, spring cereals are in the stem elongation stage, winter cereals are early flowering stage.
- Sub-surface soil moisture has decreased 7 points with 58.9 percent now rated as good or better.
- Haying is now underway. Yields are expected to be below normal with good quality.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
- Heavy thunder storms produced localized hail in the Counties of Lamont and St. Paul, with sporadic precipitation leaving some areas dry.
- Crop growing conditions moved from 90.5 per cent to 88.1 per cent rated good or excellent.
- Oilseeds and pulses are in the later rosette stages, spring cereals are still tillering, with spring wheat slightly ahead in the boot stage and winter cereals are late stages of head emergence.
- Sub-surface soil moisture has decreased 0.6 points with 87.7 percent now rated as good or better.
- Yields are expected below average, however very little haying has been done to date.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
- Showers that have passed have been spotty and variable. Athabasca and Thorhild Counties had hail.
- Crop growing conditions moved from 84.9 per cent to 80.7 per cent rated good or excellent.
- Canola staging is in the mid rosette stage with peas in the late rosette stage, spring cereals are tillering with spring wheat slightly further advanced into the boot stage.
- Sub-surface soil moisture has decreased 14.2 points with 72.2 percent now rated as good or better.
- Some producers are turning cattle into tame hay or clipping heads in hopes of getting more rain and a higher second cut yield. Very little haying done to date.
Region Five: Peace River (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
- M.D. of Peace and Mackenzie County received too much rain while other parts of the region remain dry. Grande Prairie and M.D. of Greenview suffered some hail damage.
- Crop growing conditions moved from 91.3 per cent to 88.4 per cent rated good or excellent.
- Oilseed and pulses are in the early rosette stage with spring cereals in the mid-tillering stage.
- Sub-surface soil moisture has decreased 1.3 points with 84.3 percent now rated as good or better.
- Haying has just begun in the region but no yields are estimated at this time.
Agriculture Financial Services Corporation Z. Sangster & J. Sanden Product Coordinators
Business Risk Management Products Unit email: zsuzsanna.sangster@afsc.ca
Lacombe, Alberta email: jackie.sanden@afsc.ca
June 29, 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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