Crop Conditions as of July 10, 2018

Provincially, soil moisture reserves have decreased, but regionally, remained highly variable. While surface soil moisture improved from a week ago in the North East and Peace Regions, it fell in other regions. Sub-surface soil moisture dropped for the Southern, Central and Peace Regions, and improved in the North East and North West Regions. Surface soil moisture ratings (sub-surface soil moisture are shown in brackets) across the province are now rated 8 (8) per cent poor, 29 (29) per cent fair, 45 (43) per cent good, 17 (19) per cent excellent and 1 (1) per cent excessive (see Table 2).

Pasture and tame hay conditions are starting to deteriorate in most of the province. Provincially, pasture conditions (tame hay conditions shown in brackets) declined four (three) per cent, with 58 (56) per cent rated as good to excellent. First cut dryland hay is 40 per cent complete across the province, slightly behind normal. The estimated yield for dry land hay is 1.0 ton per acre (lower than the 5-year average of 1.5 tons per acre), with quality rated as 72 per cent good to excellent, compared to the 5-year average of 77 per cent. For irrigated hay, first cut is 59 per cent complete (down 21 per cent from the 5-year average), with yield at 2.2 tons per acre (compared to the 5-year average of 2.4 tons per acre). Quality is rated as 81 per cent good to excellent, compared to the 5-year average of 86 per cent.



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)

• Hot and windy days, accompanied by very spotty showers has been the dominant weather pattern over the past week. Soil moisture reserves are depleting and crops are showing signs of heat stress. Rain is badly needed in the Region.
• Spring cereals are mainly in the head emergence state of development, while fall seeded crops are at the beginning of the milk development stage. About 76 per cent of canola, 74 per cent of dry peas and almost 60 per cent of lentils and chickpeas are in the flowering stage.
• Crop condition ratings are lower that the 5-year averages for most crops, including durum and spring wheat, canola, dry beans, sugar beets and potato.
• Pasture conditions are rated as 14 per cent poor, 35 per cent fair, 46 per cent good and five per cent excellent.
• First cut haying is underway, with 73 per cent of dryland and 86 per cent of irrigated complete. Dryland and irrigated yields are estimated at 0.9 (compared to the 5-year average of 1.3) and 2.3 (compared to the 5-year average of 2.5) tons per acre, respectively. Hay quality is below the 5-year averages for both irrigated and dryland.

• Some sporadic rain showers were reported in the region, but more rain will be welcome by producers. Hail damage has been reported in some areas. Crop condition ratings for major crops (including spring and winter wheat, barley, oats, canola and potato) are lower than the 5-year averages.
• Spring cereals are in the head emergence stage of development, while fall seeded crops have just started the milk development stage. About 77 per cent of canola, 84 per cent of dry peas, 76 per cent of lentils and 74 per cent of chickpeas are now in flower.
• Pasture conditions are rated as nine per cent poor, 36 per cent fair, 52 per cent good and three per cent excellent.
• About 37 per cent of dryland and 25 per cent of irrigated haying is complete. Dryland and irrigated yields are estimated at 0.9 (compared to the 5-year average of 1.5) and 2.0 (compared to the 5-year average of 2.2) tons per acre, respectively. For both irrigated and dryland, hay quality is above the 5-year averages.

• Rain showers in the region has been very scattered, with some areas that received rain reporting good crop growing conditions, while others are in need of rain for normal crop development. Some areas were also affected by hail damage.
• Spring cereals are mostly in the booting or head emergence stage of development, while fall seeded crops are in the dough development stage. Also, about 78 per cent of canola and dry peas are flowering.
• Crop condition ratings for all crops in the Region are higher than the 5-year averages, with the exception of winter wheat which is lower.
• Pasture conditions are rated as 10 per cent poor, 23 per cent fair, 56 per cent good and 11 per cent excellent.
• Nearly 18 per cent of dryland haying is complete, with yield at 0.9 ton per acre, compared to the 5-year average of 1.5 tons per acre. Quality is rated at 75 per cent good to excellent, lower than the 5-year average.

• The Region has had only a few light showers over the past week and is in need of moisture for good yields. Spring cereals are mostly in the head emergence stage of development, while about 80 per cent of canola and 94 per cent of dry peas are in flower.
• Regionally, 74 per cent of cereals, 85 per cent of dry peas and all potatoes are in good to excellent condition, higher than the 5-year averages. For canola, crop conditions is rated as 62 per cent, lower than the 5-year average.
• Pasture conditions are rated as 31 per cent poor, 33 per cent fair, 33 per cent good and three per cent excellent.
• About 32 per cent of dryland haying is complete, with the yield at 1.0 ton per acre, compared to the 5-year average of 2.0 tons per acre. Quality is rated at 80 per cent good to excellent, higher than the 5-year average.

• Weather was consistent over the past week, receiving about one-half inch of rain. Crops are progressing well and crop conditions are higher than the 5-year averages for all crops.
• Spring cereals are mostly in the head emergence stage of development, while 56 per cent of canola is in flower. About 44 per cent of canola and 78 per cent of dry peas are in the 7-12 node stage.
• Pasture conditions are rated as 19 per cent fair, 69 per cent good and 12 per cent excellent.
• About 19 per cent of dryland haying is complete, with a yield of 1.3 tons per acre, in line with the 5-year average. Quality is rated at 90 per cent good to excellent, higher than the 5-year average.