| | This information has been made available by Agriculture Financial Services Corporation.
The July 31, 2008 Crop Report is also available as a PDF file on the AFSC website.
Prepared by:
James Wright
Project Manager
Research and Program Development
Lacombe, AB
Telephone: 403-782-8336
Provincial
Dry weather continues to prevail across much of the province resulting in declining crop condition ratings for the south, central and NE regions. Precipitation in the form of thundershowers brought much needed moisture to the NW and Peace regions which maintained or improved crop growing condition ratings. The incidence of hail has increased particularly in southern Alberta. Crop development continues to be 10 – 14 days later than average due to the later than normal start to the season and cool spring/ summer temperatures. Subsoil moisture is rated at 18% poor/ 36% fair/ 39% good/ 7% excellent representing a slight decline from 51% rated good/excellent on July 17th.
Crop development of spring cereals ranges from early pollination to early filling, averaging late pollination. Winter cereals range from mid filling to soft dough stage with the average being early dough. 80% of the canola and 88% of the field peas in the province are podding.
Alberta’s first 2008 crop yield projections as follows:
 | Dryland Yield Projection (bu/acre) |
| South | Central | N East | N West | Peace | Prov. Ave. |
| S. Wheat | 37.8 | 40.9 | 43.3 | 45.0 | 33.8 | 40.3 |
| Durum Wheat | 38.1 | 35.3 | --- | --- | --- | 36.9 |
| Barley | 50.3 | 63.6 | 64.4 | 66.0 | 47.8 | 58.6 |
| Oats | 58.5 | 66.0 | 72.5 | 78.2 | 54.0 | 66.0 |
| Winter Wheat | 43.8 | 42.3 | 39.1 | 49.0 | 40.0 | 42.9 |
| Canola | 31.8 | 35.2 | 38.8 | 42.1 | 25.8 | 34.9 |
| Mustard | 22.7 | 26.6 | --- | --- | --- | 23.4 |
| Field Peas | 34.9 | 39.6 | 42.2 | 42.7 | 29.3 | 37.8 |
| Chickpeas | 26.4 | 20.0 | --- | --- | --- | 25.8 |
85% of the first cut dryland hay harvest has been completed with 70% of the crop rated as good/excellent for quality. The first cut of irrigated alfalfa hay is virtually completed with 85% rated in good/excellent quality. A small amount of second cut haying is underway.
Southern Alberta
- Hail prevalent in many areas of the region with the greatest damage occurring along the Highway #3 line from Lethbridge to Medicine Hat following 3 large hail storms over a 5 day period in the middle of July caused heavy damage. This area has a high concentration of special crops including potatoes, sugar beets, dry beans, fresh corn and processing vegetables.
- Crop development of spring cereals averages early filling, winter cereals average soft dough stage, with canola 83% podding, field peas and chickpeas at 94% podding.
- Hail damage has reduced crop condition ratings to 75 – 85% rated in good/excellent categories, down from 85 – 90% on July 17th.
- Initial yield projections have wheat and barley at 115% and canola at 145% of long term trend adjusted yields.
- Subsoil moisture continues to be very good with 77% of the region rated good/excellent, down slightly from 79% on July 17th.
- 74% of pastures and 84% of hayland is rated good excellent.
Central Alberta
- Scattered showers across the region. The incidence of hail was light though significant damage reported in the extreme eastern portion along the Saskatchewan border.
- Crop development of spring cereals averages late pollination, winter cereals average soft dough stage, with canola 60% podding and field peas at 71% podding.
- Most crops rated 65 – 75% in good/excellent condition, down from 75 – 85% rating on July 17th.
- Initial yield projections have wheat & barley at average to slightly above average and canola at 130% of long-term trend adjusted yields.
- Subsoil moisture ratings have declined significantly from July 17th with 58% of the region rated good/excellent, down from 74%.
- 60% of pastures and 65% of hayland rated good/excellent.
North East Alberta
- Localized shower activity reported in the region. Subsoil moisture conditions remain extremely dry at 19% of the region rated good/excellent, down from 28% on July 17th.
- Crop development of spring cereals averages mid pollination, winter cereals average late filling, with canola at 87% podding and field peas at 91% podding.
- Most crops are rated 55 – 65% in good/excellent condition, down from 60 – 70%.
- Initial yield projections have wheat & barley at 110 – 115% and canola at 140% of long-term trend adjusted yields.
- 9% of pastures and 24% of hayland is rated good/excellent.
North West Alberta
- The region received light precipitation, sufficient to maintain good crop condition ratings. 44% of the region rates subsoil moisture as good/excellent, down only slightly from 47% on July 17th.
- Crop development of spring cereals averages late pollination, winter cereals average early dough stage, with canola at 80% podding and field peas at 92% podding.
- Most crops rating 65 – 70% in good/excellent condition, down slightly from 70 -75%.
- Initial yield projections have wheat & barley at average and canola at 125% of long-term trend adjusted yields.
- 53% of pastures and 56% of hayland is rated good/excellent.
Peace River Region
- Most areas in the region received light showers of sufficient quantity to provide some improvement to subsoil moisture ratings to 25% rated good/excellent from 20% on July 17th.
- Crop development of spring cereals averages late pollination, with canola 85% podding and field peas at 92% podding.
- Crop condition ratings remain unchanged from the last report at 25 – 30% rated good/excellent.
- Initial yield projections have wheat & barley at 90 - 95% and canola at 110% of long-term trend adjusted yields.
- 23% of pastures and 22% of hayland rated good/excellent.
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