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Alberta Crop Report - May 10, 2007 | |
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| | This information has been made available by Agriculture Financial Services.
The May 10, 2007 Crop Report is also available as a PDF document on the AFSC website.
Prepared by:
James Wright
Project Manager
Research and Program Development
Provincial
Cool, wet spring weather has affected all areas of the province. As a result, only 8% of the province has been seeded with very little seeding having occurred north of Highway #1. Soil moisture is good to excellent in 94% of the province but a long period of warm, dry weather is needed to dry soils sufficiently to allow general seeding to proceed.
 | Seeding Progress By AFSC Region |
| Crop | Alberta | Lethbridge | Red Deer | Camrose | Fairview |
| Spring Wheats | 8% | 31% | 5% | 2% | < 1% |
| Durum | 24% | 32% | 5% | N/A | N/A |
| Barley | 7% | 33% | 2% | < 1% | 0% |
| Canola | 9% | 34% | 4% | 3% | 0% |
| Field Peas | 10% | 51% | 6% | 4% | 1% |
| Potatoes | 55% | 72% | 0% | < 1% | 0% |
| Sugar Beets | 99% | 99% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Chickpeas | 45% | 45% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lentils | 40% | 40% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Est. Average | 8% | 33% | 4% | 2% | < 1% |
84% of the tame hay and pastures are rated good to excellent. Moisture is very good but heat is needed in all areas to optimize growth and the potential for an excellent 1st cut hay crop.
Lethbridge region
A wet, cool spring has delayed seeding approximately 10 days later than normal. Seeding is most advanced in the SE corner at 70% completed and declines significantly as you move west. The central portion of the region is 45% complete with the NW at 20% and the SW at 15% seeded. Approximately 5% of the crops have emerged.
Currently, 98% of the region rates surface moisture (top 6 inches) as good/excellent and 95% is rating subsoil moisture similarly. The good moisture is benefiting fall-seeded crops with 95% rated good/excellent. Hay and pastures are rated 90% good/excellent.
Red Deer region
The cool, wet spring weather is hampering seeding with only 4% seeded and nothing emerged. Most of the seeding to date has occurred in the eastern half of the region. Many areas in the western half will require a week of good drying weather to get general seeding operations underway. 97% of the region rates surface moisture as good/excellent while 93% of the region rates subsoil moisture similarly. Fall-seeded and forage crops are rated at 92% good/excellent condition.
Camrose region
Much of the seeding to date has been localized to the eastern portion of the region, primarily south of Highway #16. All other areas continue to be too wet for general seeding operations. Seeding progress is estimated to be 3% completed in the eastern half of the region and 1% in the western half. Surface moisture levels are rated good/excellent in over 95% of the region with sub soil moisture rated good/excellent in 88% of the eastern half and 94% of the western half. 90% of pastures are rated good/excellent throughout the region. Only 74% of the tame hay in the eastern portion is rated good/excellent. The lower ratings are principally in the NE portion and should improve with warmer temperatures.
Fairview region
Heavy snow accumulations this winter combined with cool spring temperatures have resulted in a late snow melt. As a result, soil moisture levels are rated good/excellent in 99% of the region but field operations have been significantly delayed. To date, virtually no seeding has occurred, with the exception of the extreme north which had less snow. Hay and pastures are showing the lingering effects of the dry conditions experienced across much of the region in 2006 with ratings of 30% poor/ 17% fair/ 48% good/ 5% excellent. With the availability of good moisture, forage crops should show significant improvement when warmer temperatures become available. |
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For more information about the content of this document, contact Stacey Tames.
This information published to the web on May 15, 2007.
Last Reviewed/Revised on June 26, 2007.
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