Crops rated good to excellent remained well below the overall average in Alberta but areas of the province that received moisture have seen continued crop growth.
Data from the Alberta Crop Report released July 28 showed overall crops rated good to excellent was 43.1 per cent well below both the five- and ten-year averages of 60.2 per cent and 60.4 per cent respectively.
Crops in the Central and North West regions of the province have seen improved ratings due to moisture in the areas while crops in the South, North East, and Peace regions decreased in ratings.
Dryland crop yields are estimated at 15 per cent below the five-year yield average, according to the report, and the provincial dryland five-year yield index for all crops and major crops is 85.
Irrigated crop yields in the South region are eight per cent above normal for all crops and one per cent below normal for major crops. The provincial irrigated five-year yield index of 108 for all crops and 99 for major crops.
The Peace region reported the highest per cent of good to excellent soil moisture at 71 per cent. The North West reported 76 per cent good to excellent soil moisture, the North East was rated at 70 per cent, the Central region was rated at 38 per cent, and the South region saw the least amount of soil moisture rating at good to excellent at 12 per cent.
Data from the Alberta Crop report showed the first cut of hay for dryland was 85 per cent complete while the irrigated first cut of hay was 97 per cent complete.
“The second cut is reported to have begun for dryland hay in the Central, North East, and North West regions, as well as for irrigated hay in the South and Central regions,” the report said.
The provincial regional assessment for the South, which includes Strathmore, Lethbridge, medicine Hat and Foremost, showed there is a potential for further yield losses due to lack of moisture and grasshopper damage.
Crops rated good to excellent in the South are well-below the provincial average at 25 per cent for major crops and 29 per cent for all crops. The dryland five-year yield index is estimated at 29 per cent below the five-year average, thee report stated.
Spring cereal crop development ranged from late milk development to early dough development, canola was reported at the podding stage while harvest is beginning for dryland peas and fall seeded crops.
“Soil surface (sub-surface) moisture reported at 58 (49) per cent poor, 30 (39) per cent fair, 12 (11) per cent good, less than 1 (1) per cent excellent and 0 (0) per cent excessive,” the report said.
The Central region which includes Rimbery, Airdrie, Coronation, and Oyen, showed “crops rated in good to excellent condition is 37 per cent for major crops and 36 per cent for all crops, with reports indicating that further moisture is required for crop yields to reach their current potential.”
The dryland crop five-year yield index is estimated at 27 per cent below the average.
Spring cereal crops in the Central region are reported to be at the milk development stage and canola is reported at just under half at the podding stage and a slim majority at still flowering, the report said.
The Central region reported 88 per cent complete for dryland first cut of hay with “yields at 65 per cent of the five-year average,” while irrigated first cut yields are at 67 per cent. The second cuts have started.
“Regional surface (sub-surface) moisture is reported as 25 (27) per cent poor, 37 (34) per cent fair, 23 (22) per cent good, 16 (18) per cent excellent and 0 (0) per cent excessive,” the report read.
The North East Region, which includes Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, and Provost reported 57 per cent of crops as rated in good to excellent condition.
Dryland crop five-year yield indexes showed “early yield estimates at five per cent below the five-year average.”
Spring cereal was reported at late flowering to milk development, while canola crop development was just over half the majority podding.
Dryland hay was at 80 per cent complete with yields at 68 per cent of the five-year average with second cuts reported as having begun.
“Regional surface (sub-surface) moisture is reported as 5 (15) per cent poor, 24 (35) per cent fair, 55 (43) per cent good, 15 (7) per cent excellent and less than 1 (less than 1) per cent excessive,” the report said.
The North West region, which includes Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, and Athabasca reported 48 per cent of crops as good to excellent.
Dryland five-year yield indexes were reported as estimated at six per cent above the five-year average, the report said.
Data from the reported showed spring cereal crop was in milk development, canola was majority flowering with under half at the podding stage.
The first cut of Dryland hay was mostly completed at 82 per cent and yields were reported at 51 per cent of the five-year average.
“Regional surface (sub-surface) moisture is reported as 0 (3) per cent poor, 10 (26) per cent fair, 51 (52) per cent good, 26 (20) per cent excellent and 14 (0) per cent excessive,” the report said.
The Peace region, which includes Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, and Valleyview, reported 56 per cent of crops at good to excellent.
Data from the report indicated a 10 per cent drop in the five-year yield indexes.
Spring cereal was reported in milk development while canola was mostly at the podding stage.
Dryland hay was at 75 per cent first cut completed with “yields at 84 per cent of the five-year average.”
“Regional surface (sub-surface) moisture is reported as 8 (8) per cent poor, 21 (23) per cent fair, 34 (35) per cent good, 37 (35) per cent excellent and 0 (0) per cent excessive,” the report said.
