Spring wheat, barley and oats are reported to be mainly at the early stages of milk development in north western Alberta.
That according to the latest Alberta Crop Report, from Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) and the Government of Alberta, which indicates major crops conditions in the region as of Aug. 4, are currently rated as 22 per cent poor, 40 per cent fair, 34 per cent good and 4 per cent excellent.
Sub-surface moisture is 0 per cent poor, 2 per cent fair, 32 per cent good, 54 per cent excellent, and 13 per cent excessive.
Hot weather and scattered showers persist, limiting opportunities for field work and haying. Conditions of tame hay are reported as 0 per cent poor, 24 per cent fair, 53 per cent good, and 23 per cent excellent.
Elsewhere, moisture conditions remain highly variable across the province. Parts of the Central and South regions continue to experience dry conditions and declining soil moisture reserves, while the North West, North East and Peace regions remain affected by excess moisture and ongoing rainfall. Producers continue to advance haying activities, with first-cut harvest nearing
completion in the South, Central, and Peace regions, and progress in the North East and North West regions when weather and field conditions permit.
The provincial good-to-excellent rating for major crops is currently at 58 per cent, exceeding the 5-year average of 43 per cent and aligning closely with the 10-year average of 54 per cent. Regional major crop good-to-excellent ratings (change from last week) were reported as 77 (-3) per cent for the South, 69 (-6) per cent for the Central, 47 (-1) per cent for the North East, 38 (+1) per cent for the North West and 48 (-1) per cent for the Peace.
The North West Region remains the only region reporting crop ratings below the 5-year average, at 3 per cent lower. The North East Region is tracking closely with its 5-year average. Meanwhile, the South, Central and Peace regions are performing above average, exceeding their 5-year benchmarks by 33, 27 and 12 per cent, respectively.
Provincial spring wheat, barley and oat crops continue to be less advanced in their development stages compared to the 5-year and 10-year averages for this time of year. While all major cereals vary between early milk to early dough development, the provincial average for spring wheat and barley are in the mid-late development of milk stage.
Provincial surface soil moisture good-to-excellent ratings were reported as 46 per cent, which is above the 5-year average of 40 per cent and slightly below the 10-year average of 48 per cent. Surface soil moisture ratings in the North East, North West and Peace regions continue to be above long-term averages this week.
Provincial good-to-excellent sub-surface soil moisture at 54 per cent, a 6 per cent decrease from last week, is still above the 5-year average of 35 per cent and 10-year average of 45 per cent for this week.
Regionally, sub-surface moisture (last week’s rating) was rated at 25 (36) per cent good-to-excellent in the South, 48 (56) per cent in the Central, 71 (75) per cent in the North East, 86 (85) per cent in the North West and 89 (90) per cent in the Peace Region.
Provincial good-to-excellent pasture growth conditions are 55 per cent, above both the 5-year average of 35 per cent and the 10-year average of 43 per cent. Regional pasture good-to-excellent growth conditions (change from last week) are reported as 45 (-11) per cent for the South, 55 (-13) per cent for the Central, 66 (-24) per cent for the North East, 74 (-1) per cent for the North West, and 49 (0) per cent for the Peace Region.
Provincially, tame hay is currently rated at 57 per cent good-to-excellent, a 12 per cent decrease from last week. This remains above the 5-year average of 32 per cent and the 10-year average of 44 per cent. Regional tame hay good-to-excellent growth conditions (change from last week) are reported as 44 (-13) per cent for the South, 56 (-18) per cent for the Central, 56 (-30) per cent for the North East, 76 (-1) per cent for the North West, and 55 (-1) per cent for the Peace Region.
