As of Aug. 11, cool weather in Alberta’s North West Region has delayed crop advancement, with 23 per cent of canola still in flower compared to the provincial average of 14 per cent.
Meantime, peas are reported to be nine per cent flowering compared to the provincial average of four per cent.
That’s according to the latest crop report by the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) and the Government of Alberta.
The report says some fields are being assessed for potential alternate uses of preharvest options where crops are unlikely to be economically viable through harvest.
At the same time, sub-surface soil moisture (five-year average) is rated as zero (17) per cent poor, one (34) per cent fair, 30 (41) per cent good, 52 (eight) per cent excellent and 18 (zero) per cent excessive.
Pasture growth conditions (tame hay growth conditions) in the region are rated as zero (zero) per cent poor, 24 (23) per cent fair, 49 (49) per cent good and 27 (28) per cent excellent.
The AFSC says showers across the province increased already excessive soil moisture in regions such as the North West, but did bring some relief to drier regions such as the South. While areas already experiencing consecutive hot days appreciated the relief of heat stress on crop development brought by the showers, many areas through the North East and North West Regions will need significant warmth and sunshine to finish crops.
Spring cereals range from late milk to mid-dough development, with the most advanced cereals in the South Region where minimal rain and hot temperatures have been advancing crop development. Fall-seeded crops range from soft dough development to early ripening, with the most advanced crops also in the South Region, where combining has reportedly begun.
Currently, 12 per cent of provincial major crops (canola and peas) are flowering, and 88 per cent are podding, according to the report. Combining of fall crops has started in the South, Central and North West Regions and provincially, winter wheat is 38 per cent combined and fall rye is 43 per cent combined.
Provincially, all crop harvest is one per cent complete compared to the five- and 10-year average of three and two per cent. Harvest of all crops is most advanced in the South Region at two per cent, compared to the five- and 10-year average of eight and seven per cent, and has yet to be started in other regions.
When it comes to major crops, those rated good-to-excellent increased by one per cent this week and are now rated at 59 per cent provincially. This is consistent with the 10-year average and above the five-year average of 48 per cent.
The highest crop ratings were reported in the South Region at 78 per cent followed by the Central Region at 70 per cent.
Regarding pests, pressures remain localized as diamondback moths are reported as 10 per cent moderate in the South Region and four per cent in the province. Root maggots are reported as 11 per cent moderate in the Central Region, 10 per cent in the North West and three per cent in the province. Gophers are reported to be over threshold (moderate) at four (11) per cent for the South, 11 (five) per cent for the Central Region, one (three) per cent for the North East Region and six (six) per cent for the North West Region.
The AFSC says provincial dryland yield estimates remained quite stable since last reported July 28. Provincially, major crops are estimated to yield 20 per cent above their five-year average.
The highest yield index compared to their five-year average is expected for the South Region, 62 per cent above the five-year average. The Central Region is expected to yield 23 per cent above its five-year average, while the Peace and North East Regions are expected to yield nine and two per cent above average, respectively.
Meantime, the report says the North West Region could yield three per cent below its five-year average. The highest spring wheat yields are estimated in the North West Region at 59 bushels per acre. The Central Region has the highest expected yield of barley, oats and dry peas at 82, 92 and 47 bushels per acre, respectively. The highest canola yield is expected in the South Region at 48 bushels per acre.
In terms of soil moisture, good-to-excellent surface soil moisture in Alberta increased by just over half a per cent to 47 per cent good-to-excellent and remains above the five-year average of 40 per cent, but below the 10-year average of 51 per cent.
The average daily mean temperature relative to the long-term normal was near normal to moderately cool across the province.
Light showers were reported across the province, ranging on average from 10 mm to 50 mm. The report notes, while showers were reported to bring relief to areas, significant parts of the South and Central Region remain below normal for spring wheat soil moisture reserves compared to long-term normal. The South and Peace Regions reported an increase of seven and three per cent, respectively, since last week while the Central (-2 per cent), North East (-5 per cent) and North West (-4 per cent) Regions all reported decreases in surface soil moisture rated good-to-excellent.
Sub-surface soil moisture decreased by one per cent and is now rated 53 per cent good-to-excellent. This remains above both the five- and 10-year averages of 37 and 51 per cent good-to-excellent, respectively. Regional sub-surface soil moisture reported changes similar to surface soil moisture as the South (+6 per cent) and the Peace (+2 per cent) both reported increases, while the Central (-8 per cent), North East (-3 per cent) and North West Region (-4 per cent) all reported decreases.
Meantime, pasture and tame hay conditions remain the strongest in the North West and North East regions of the province as they benefit from high seasonal precipitation. Provincial pasture growth conditions decreased by three per cent to 52 per cent good-to-excellent and remained above the five- and 10-year average of 37 and 48 per cent good-to-excellent.
Each region, except the Central, which decreased by 11 per cent, remained stable and is currently rated (five-year average) 47 (25) per cent good-to-excellent in the South, 45 (48) per cent in Central, 67 (35) per cent in the North East, 76 (39) per cent in the North West and 50 (39) per cent in the Peace Region. Provincial pasture (5-year average) conditions are rated 11 (29) per cent poor, 37 (34) per cent fair, 45 (35) per cent good, seven (two) per cent excellent, the AFSC reports.
First cut dryland hay is 88 per cent complete across the province, averaging 1.9 tons per acre. Regionally, first cut is virtually complete in the South, Central and Peace regions. The North East is 53 per cent complete and the North West is 82 per cent complete. The highest first cut dryland yields are reported in the North West at 2.1 tons per acre while the lowest are in the South Region at 1.6 tons per acre.
The report says the most second cut is currently expected to be from the North West Region at 100 per cent, followed by the North East at 69 per cent expected, the Central at 33 per cent and the South Region at 15 per cent expected. Provincial tame hay conditions (five-year average) are rated nine (28) per cent poor, 36 (34) per cent fair, 43 (35) per cent good, and 12 (three) per cent excellent.
The North West Region includes Barrhead, Drayton Valley, Leduc, Edmonton and Athabasca.
