Major crops in Central Alberta rated 72 per cent good to excellent

Provincial major crop conditions rated good to excellent have improved to 59 per cent, a 10 per cent increase from a week previous, but remain below the 5- and 10-year averages of 73 per cent and 71 per cent, respectively. The majority of regions saw an increase in good to excellent conditions, with the exception of the Peace Region where conditions decreased by 2 per cent to 25 per cent since last week.

Regionally, major crop conditions improved to 55 per cent in the South (up 7 per cent), 72 per cent in Central (up 20 per cent), 65 per cent in the North East (up 7 per cent), and 73 per cent in the North West (up 24 per cent). While most areas are reporting below averages, the North West is above both the 5- and 10-year averages, and Central region is slightly above its 10-year average.

Provincially, most spring wheat, barley, and oat crops are progressing through early to mid stem elongation. Notably, ahead are the spring wheat and barley in the South and Central regions, which are in the booting stage.

Precipitation over the past two weeks has significantly increased surface moisture levels across much of the province, supporting crops and pasture development. Provincial surface soil moisture rated good to excellent rose significantly to 65 per cent from 37 per cent a week before, still slightly below the 5-year average but on par with the 10-year average.

Regionally, good to excellent surface moisture stands at 69 per cent in the South, 76 per cent in the Central, 59 per cent in the North East, 67 per cent in the North West, and 36 per cent in the Peace. While most regions are below their historical averages, the South and Central are notable exceptions, having improved beyond both the 5- and 10-year averages.

Similarly, sub-surface moisture has also improved, with provincial good to excellent ratings reaching 50 per cent, a 12 per cent increase from last week. Although most regions reported an increase in sub-surface moisture levels, the Peace and North West declined slightly to 43 per cent (from 54 per cent) and 49 per cent (from 50 per cent), respectively.

Currently, good to excellent sub-surface soil moisture conditions (week over week change) are rated at 48 (+22) per cent in the South, 59 (+17) per cent in the Central, 44 (+9) per cent in the North East, 49 (-1) per cent in the North West, and 43 (-10) per cent in the Peace.

Pasture conditions across the province remain below the 5- and 10-year averages, with some regional variation. The past week’s rain across most regions has supported some greening and regrowth of pastures, though growth remains limited due to prior dry conditions. Improvement varied across the province, with Central and North East regions experiencing an increase in good to excellent pasture growth conditions compared to the South, North West, and Peace regions, where conditions declined.

Currently, pasture growth conditions (week over week change) are rated as 41 (-0) per cent good to excellent provincially, 33 (-6) per cent in the South Region, 53 (+7) per cent in the Central Region, 33 (+1) per cent in the North East Region, 59 (-2) per cent in the North West Region, and 22 (-4) per cent in the Peace Region.

Compared to last week’s report, tame hay growth conditions rated as good to excellent are now reported at 37 per cent provincially, a decrease of 1 per cent. Regionally, the ratings are 30 per cent in the South (down 3 per cent), 49 per cent in the Central (up 6 per cent), 28 per cent in the North East (up 3 per cent), 54 per cent in the North West (down 3 per cent), and 20 per cent in the Peace Region (down 6 per cent). Pasture weed growth remains mostly light; however, the South and Peace regions are reporting heavy weed growth at 8 and 10 per cent, respectively, which is above the averages.

-Contributed by Gov’t of Alberta/AFSC

by rdnewsNOW

Major crops in Central Alberta rated 72 per cent good to excellent

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