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Crop Conditions as of May 20, 2014
The recent cool weather conditions, including rain, frost and snow continued to hinder soil warming and delay seeding in some areas. Despite this, producers took advantage of a few warmer days and have made significant progress in seeding in the last two weeks, with more than 47 per cent of crops now seeded compared to two per cent a couple of weeks ago. This is still 16 per cent below the 5-year average. Seeding is most advanced in the Peace Region, with close to 55 per cent complete, followed by the North West Region (51 per cent), and the North East Region (47 per cent), as shown in Table 1. Seeding is still significantly behind the 5-year average for the Central Region (46 per cent) and the South Region (45 per cent).
During the last two weeks, most areas of the province have received some precipitation. Provincially, surface soil moisture ratings continue to be favorable and are rated as four per cent fair, 49 per cent good, 44 per cent excellent, and three per cent excessive (see Table 2). Sub-surface moisture is four per cent fair, 68 per cent good, 27 per cent excellent, and one per cent excessive.
Tame hay and pasture are showing good growth in most areas of the province. Provincially, pasture conditions and tame hay growth are reported as one per cent poor, 24 per cent fair, 64 per cent good, and 11 per cent excellent. Winterkill may result in the reseeding of some fall crops.
Warm and dry weather would certainly help seeding to progress and for crops to emerge.
Regional Assessments:
The 2014 Alberta Crop Report Series provides summaries for the following five regions:
Region One: Southern (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
- Even though the weather conditions during the last two weeks have been mainly cool, with some rain and snow, producers managed to progress with seeding. Overall, seeding is estimated at 45 per cent complete, compared to six per cent two weeks ago and the 5-year average of 75 per cent. Winterkill this year may result in the need for reseeding of some fall crops.
- Due to several rain and snowstorms this spring, surface moisture conditions are rated as 91 per cent good to excellent, four per cent fair, and five per cent excessive. Producers would benefit from dry and warm weather.
- Pasture conditions are mostly favourable and reported as three per cent poor, 30 per cent fair, 64 per cent good, and three per cent excellent. Similar ratings were reported for tame hay.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
- Although cool weather conditions from the early spring, and some precipitation which continued to slow soil warming and delay seeding in some areas of the region, producers have made significant progress, taking advantage of a few warm days. Close to 46 per cent of crops are now seeded, compared to one per cent two weeks ago and the 5-year average of 63 per cent.
- Surface moisture conditions are rated as 91 per cent good to excellent, eight per cent fair, and one per cent excessive. Producers would benefit from a mixture of warm weather and some precipitation to help with seeding progress and crops to emerge.
- Pasture conditions are reported as three per cent poor, 30 per cent fair, 64 per cent good, and three per cent excellent, with similar ratings reported for tame hay.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
- Seeding has progressed rapidly during the last seven to ten days, even though cool weather is still affecting soil temperature. As of May 20, seeding stands at 47 per cent complete compared to one percent two weeks ago and the 5-year average of 55 per cent.
- Overall, surface moisture is rated as two per cent fair, 69 per cent good and 29 per cent excellent. Warmer weather is needed to take advantage of the favorable moisture for crop to emerge.
- Pasture conditions are reported as 43 per cent fair, 52 per cent good, and 5 per cent excellent, with similar ratings reported for tame hay.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
- Significant seeding progress has been made, especially during the past week. Regionally, 51 per cent of the crop is now seeded, compared to zero per cent two weeks ago and the 5-year average of 62 per cent.
- Surface moisture is rated as 50 per cent good, 47 per cent excellent, and three per cent excessive. Due to cool soil temperatures, producers are reporting slow crop emergence.
- Pasture conditions are reported as 26 per cent good, and 74 per cent excellent, with same ratings reported for tame hay.
Region Five: Peace River (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
- Cool weather with minimal precipitation has helped significantly with seeding progress during the past two weeks. Over 54 per cent of the region has now been seeded, compared to zero per cent two weeks ago and the 5-year average of 56 per cent.
- Surface soil moisture levels are at six per cent fair, 39 per cent good, 52 per cent excellent and three per cent excessive.
- Pasture conditions are reported as seven per cent fair, 65 per cent good, and 28 per cent excellent, with similar ratings reported for tame hay.
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Economics and Competitiveness Division
Statistics and Data Development Branch
Lukas Matejovsky, Crop Statistician
E-mail: lukas.matejovsky@gov.ab.ca
Phone: 780-422-2887
May 23, 2014 |
Note to Users: The contents of this document may not be used or reproduced without properly accrediting Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Economics and Competitiveness Division, Statistics and Data Development Branch.
The 2014 Alberta crop reporting series is available on the Internet at: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sdd4191
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