As of Aug. 18, the effects of a wet growing season continued to bring challenges in the North West Region, although recent warm and sunny conditions are improving field access and operations.
That’s according to the latest crop report by the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) and the Government of Alberta.
Sub-surface soil moisture (five-year average) is rated as zero (19) per cent poor, three (40) per cent fair, 36 (35) per cent good, 43 (six) per cent excellent and 19 (zero) per cent excessive.
Meantime, some hay fields are still challenged by excessive moisture and may not get a first cut. Tame hay growth conditions (five-year average) are rated as zero (28) per cent poor, 23 (37) per cent fair, 54 (33) per cent good and 23 (three) per cent excellent.
For the majority of the province, major spring cereals are now in early to soft dough development, though the South Region’s cereals are averaging hard dough. According to the five- and 10-year averages, spring cereals are typically all nearing the end of dough development by this week in August.
Provincially, the report says major crop harvest is one per cent complete compared to the five- and 10-year average of seven and five per cent.
Regionally, the South is five per cent complete, behind its five- and 10-year averages of 18 and 15 per cent. The government says harvest is limited in all other regions, despite the North East, North West and Peace Region historically being two per cent complete and the Central Region historically seven per cent complete by this week (according to the five-year average).
Of the major crops, dry peas have reportedly seen the most completion and are nine per cent combined provincially, mainly due to the 20 per cent combined in the South Region.
Major crop conditions remained rated 59 per cent good-to-excellent, above the five- and 10- year average of 41 and 53 per cent good-to-excellent, the AFSC says.
The lowest crop condition rating was reported in the North West Region where 35 per cent of crops were rated good-to-excellent, compared to the five-year average of 40 per cent.
Elsewhere, crop conditions are rated the highest in the South Region at 79 per cent good-to-excellent, significantly above its five-year average of 39 per cent. The Central Region is at 70 per cent good-to-excellent compared to its five-year average of 43 per cent. According to the report, the North East and Peace Region are rated at 47 and 49 per cent good-to-excellent, respectively, compared to their five-year averages of 46 and 37 per cent.
The regional percent of major crops rated as good-to-excellent continues to show a split in the province with higher ratings in the South and Central regions than those in the northern half of the province. These lower ratings are due to the growing season’s excessive moisture stress on plants in the northern regions, the AFSC reports.
That week, the South Region received widespread showers that increased surface soil moisture ratings by 17 per cent to 50 per cent good-to-excellent. The Central Region also saw a significant increase in surface soil moisture ratings last week, up 14 per cent to 52 per cent good-to-excellent.
While many crops in the South and Central regions were too advanced in their development to realize significant yield benefits from these showers, some later-seeded crops or ones still podding could see benefit. Across the northern half of the province, lighter precipitation allowed some soils to dry and supported crop development and harvest readiness.
The report notes that warm and dry weather will be the most beneficial for crop quality in the coming weeks as producers try to prepare for and complete harvest. Provincial surface soil moisture (five-year average) is rated as nine (28) per cent poor, 26 (34) per cent fair, 40 (32) per cent good, 15 (six) per cent excellent and nine (one) per cent excessive.
When it comes to surface soil moisture, the highest regional rating (five-year average) is reported in the Peace Region at 79 (48) per cent good-to-excellent, followed by the North West at 57 (43) per cent, then the North East at 55 (38) per cent, the Central Region at 52 (43) per cent and finally the South Region at 50 (27) per cent good-to-excellent.
Sub-surface soil moisture conditions remain near-to-slightly above the long-term normals in the South and Central regions, with both rated at 40 per cent good-to-excellent.
According to the report, consistent rain throughout the growing season continues to support high good-to-excellent ratings for the North East (66 per cent), the North West (78 per cent) and the Peace (90 per cent). Provincial sub-surface soil moisture (five-year average) is rated as 13 (30) per cent poor, 28 (36) per cent fair, 36 (31) per cent good, 19 (four) per cent excellent and five (zero) per cent excessive.
As of Aug. 11, the North East and North West were 53 and 82 per cent complete first-cut dryland hay with all other regions over 97 per cent complete. Over the past week, progress has reportedly been slow due to spotty showers and humid conditions. Any areas that haven’t taken a first cut of their hay fields are soon at risk of abandonment or an alternative use such as grazing.
Last week’s yields were all reported to be above the historical averages, but quality in the northern half of the province was quite low due to excessive moisture. Any second cut available in the province is most likely to be minimal.
Provincial tame hay growth conditions (five-year average) are rated as nine (34) per cent poor, 41 (35) per cent fair, 41 (29) per cent good, and 10 (two) per cent excellent, according to the AFSC.
Pasture growth conditions around the province saw conditions stable or small decreases as regionally good-to-excellent ratings (five-year average) were 46 (25) per cent in the South, 35 (40) in the Central Region, 61 (24) per cent in the North East, 75 (30) per cent in the North West and 50 (35) per cent in the Peace.
Provincial pasture conditions (five-year average) are rated as 12 (35) per cent poor, 41 (34) per cent fair, 41 (30) per cent good and six (one) per cent excellent.
The North West Region includes Barrhead, Drayton Valley, Leduc, Edmonton and Athabasca.
