| | This information has been made available by Agriculture Financial Services Corporation.
The June 2, 2011 Crop Report is also available as a PDF file on the AFSC website.
Prepared by:
James Wright
Business Risk Management Division
Actuarial & Program Readiness
AFSC, Lacombe
Telephone: (403)782-8336
Provincial
The province saw a return to cooler, showery weather. Despite the challenging conditions, producers were able to make significant seeding progress with 90% of the province estimated to be completed at this time. Seeding progress is similar to last year but slightly behind long term historical averages. Approximately 60% of the crop has emerged.
It is currently estimated that approximately 2% of the province will remain unseeded due to wet conditions with most of these acres in southern Alberta again this year. Surface soil moisture ratings have declined due to significant declines in the North East and North West regions to 11% poor/ 19% fair/ 31% good/ 31% excellent/ 8% excessive. Provincially, subsoil moisture is very good at 3% poor/ 21% fair/ 34% good/ 39% excellent/ 3% excessive.
Hay and pasture ratings show a decline to 10% poor/ 22% fair/ 48% good/ 20% excellent.
Region One: South (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
Heavy rains in the western half of the region has caused significant delays to seeding. Rainfall amounts of 3 – 5 inches have fallen across western and central areas. Seeding progress is estimated at 87% complete. It is estimated that 4 - 5% of the region could remain unseeded this year. Surface moisture is rated 67% good/excellent and 33% excessive, with subsoil moisture rated at 89% good/excellent and 11% excessive. Insect pests are currently not an issue. Winter cereals are in the late tillering stage and rated in good condition.
Hay/pasture condition ratings have improved since last report to 0% poor/ 8% fair/ 57% good/ 35% excellent.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
Cool, showery weather has slowed the completion of seeding. Frost was reported in the western portion of the region. It is currently estimated that 1 - 1.5% of the region could remain unseeded, principally in the western foothills where heavy precipitation was reported.
Surface soil moisture is rated 0% poor/ 4% fair/ 94% good/excellent/ 2% excessive. Sub soil moisture is rated 2% fair/ 96% good/excellent / 2% excessive. Hay and pasture ratings have improved with the precipitation received to 0% poor/ 4% fair/ 64% good/ 32% excellent.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
Cool, dry weather has allowed seeding progress to approach 90% complete. Much of the region received little or no precipitation during May such that dry surface soil moisture has become a seeding impediment. Several significant frosts in late May caused damage to alfalfa and canola crops which may result in some canola reseeds. Currently, it is estimated that 2% of the region may remain unseeded.
Surface moisture ratings have declined to 27% poor/ 42% fair/ 27% good/ 3% excellent/ 1% excessive. Subsoil moisture is rated 8% poor/ 46% fair/ 41% good/ 5% excellent. Hay/pasture ratings are 24% poor/ 43% fair/ 28% good/ 5% excellent.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
Seeding is nearing completion in most areas. The region is divided between being very dry in the area north and west of Edmonton to being wet in the area south and west. Frost was reported in many areas though damage is not considered significant and few reseeds are expected.
Surface soil moisture ratings have declined slightly to 30% poor/ 30% fair/ 29% good/ 12% excellent/ 1% excessive. Subsoil moisture is rated 6% poor/ 44% fair/ 35% good/ 15% excellent. Hay/pastures are rated at 19% poor/ 30% fair/ 34% good/ 17% excellent.
Region Five: Peace River (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
Drier weather over the past two week period has allowed seeding to near completion. Some areas received showers and a small amount of seeding remains outstanding as a result. Most areas of the region would benefit greatly from precipitation. Flea beetles are becoming a problem with 47% of the region rating them at moderate to over economic threshold levels. Grasshopper, cutworm and wireworm populations are also being reported.
Soil moisture ratings have declined with surface moisture rated 4% poor/ 23% fair/ 45% good/ 25% excellent/ 3% excessive. Subsoil moisture is rated 2% poor/ 14% fair/ 55% good/ 29% excellent. Hay/pasture ratings are near unchanged at 12% poor/ 27% fair/ 53% good/ 8% excellent.
Prepared by Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, in cooperation with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. For more information, please contact the writer, James Wright. |
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