Alberta Crop Conditions as of August 12, 2014

Our thanks to Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen, staff of AFSC and the Alberta Ag-Info Centre for their partnership and contribution to the Alberta Crop Reporting Program.
The precipitation map is compiled by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Environmental Stewardship Division, Technology and Innovation Branch.

REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS:
The 2014 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:

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

• Hot, dry weather covered the region this past week allowing crops to progress toward maturity, however under significant heat stress. The hot weather and lack of moisture is starting to affect yield potential. Spotty hail storms were reported in some parts of the region.
• Harvesting of winter wheat and fall rye is underway with three per cent in the bin. Swathing is underway at five per cent done for barley, three per cent for canola and one per cent for spring wheat.
• First cut haying operations for both dryland and irrigated land are virtually done, with 88 per cent and 94 per cent rated as good to excellent quality, respectively. Second cut haying operations are underway, with 34 per cent of irrigated land complete. Pasture and tame hay growth ratings are low due to heat and is now rated as 54 per cent and 57 per cent good to excellent, respectively.

• The combination of hot weather, heavy rain and spotty hail storms were reported across the region. Hail damage was severe in some areas impacting yield and crop maturity. Also, some areas are reporting a few concerns with gophers and grasshoppers.
• Swathing of dry peas, spring wheat, durum, barley, and canola has just started and is reported less than one per cent complete. Winter wheat and fall rye are also being swathed and are both at three per cent complete.
• First cut haying operations are 94 per cent complete on dryland and virtually done on irrigated land. Average yield on dryland is estimated at 1.7 tons per acre, while irrigated is 2.2 tons per acre. Quality is rated as 66 per cent good to excellent for dryland hay and 80 per cent for irrigated. Pasture conditions are reported as 55 per cent good to excellent, with similar ratings reported for tame hay.

• Isolated showers and heavy rain during the past week helped to advance crop development and improved crop conditions. Overall, crops are in excellent condition in the region, about 86 to 89 per cent of spring wheat, barley, oats, canola and dry peas are in good to excellent condition.
• Swathing of winter wheat and fall rye is underway, with 30 per cent and 40 per cent completed, respectively. About 10 per cent of winter wheat has been harvested with preliminary dryland yields at 44.5 bushels per acre.
• First cut haying operations are underway, with 92 per cent of dryland complete. Average yield is estimated at 1.7 tons per acre. Quality is rated 84 per cent good to excellent. Pasture conditions are reported as 92 per cent good to excellent, tame hay is at 89 per cent good to excellent.

• This region experienced hot weather and few isolated showers during the last week. Crop development continues to advance well. However, the dry and hot weather from July is starting to affect crop conditions. Conditions of most primary crops are rated 84 per cent good to excellent.
• Swathing and harvest has not started yet, but is expected to be in full progress across the region within the next two weeks.
• First cut haying operations are nearly finished with 96 per cent of dryland complete. Average yield is estimated at 2.1 tons per acre. Quality decreased due to heat stress and is rated 77 per cent good to excellent. Pasture conditions are reported as 63 per cent good to excellent, with the same ratings reported for tame hay.

• Hot, dry weather and a very few spotty showers during the past two weeks advanced crop development. The heat and lack of moisture is affecting potential yields in some areas. Root maggots, grasshoppers, flew beetles and lygus bugs are becoming a concern in some areas.
• Swathing of canola has just started and is reported three per cent compete.
• First cut dryland haying operations are virtually complete. Average yield is estimated at 1.4 tons per acre. Quality is rated 75 per cent good to excellent. Pasture conditions are reported as 47 per cent good to excellent, with similar ratings reported for tame hay.