As of May 26, while some areas of Alberta’s North West Region made good progress, wet field conditions in others have hindered seeding progress.
That’s according to the latest crop report from the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) and the Government of Alberta.
Regionally, 58 per cent of crops are now seeded, an increase of 25 per cent compared to 33 per cent the previous week.
Meanwhile, sub-surface moisture is eight per cent poor, 41 per cent fair, 31 per cent good, 19 per cent excellent, and zero per cent excessive, while tame hay conditions are reported as seven per cent poor, 52 per cent fair, 40 per cent good and one per cent excellent.
Provincially, seeding progress for major crops is 74 per cent complete, behind the five-year average of 83 per cent.
The AFSC says regional progress is behind the respective five-year average for the North East, North West and Peace, ahead of average for the South and on par for the Central.
Seeding progress for major crops by region (five-year average) is reported at 95 (91) per cent in the South Region, 85 (85) per cent in the Central Region, 68 (82) per cent in the North East Region, 58 (76) per cent in the North West Region and 52 (77) per cent in the Peace Region.
Compared to the previous week, seeding of major crops advanced the most in the North East (+32 per cent), followed by Central (+26 per cent), North West (+25 per cent), Peace (+19 per cent) and South (+15 per cent). Among major crops, dry peas are nearing completion at 91 per cent, with oats having the lowest progress at 47 per cent.
According to the report, provincial emergence of major crops (five-year average) is reported at 33 per cent, below the five-year average of 43 per cent.
Crop emergence in the South Region is ahead of the five-year average at 66 (52) per cent. In other regions, emergence is behind their respective five-year averages with Central at 36 (47) per cent, North East at 23 (39) per cent, North West at 16 (29) per cent and Peace at nine (39) per cent.
Although seeding and emergence have improved, the AFSC says variable moisture levels are reported across the province.
Provincial surface soil (0-6”) moisture rated as good-to-excellent is reported as 59 per cent, below both the five- and 10-year averages of 63 per cent and 68 per cent. The southern half of the province has reported the most fair to poor moisture levels, with excessive moisture levels reported in the North East Region (4 per cent), Peace Region (4 per cent) and North West Region (11 per cent).
Meantime, regional surface soil moisture rated good-to-excellent declined in some regions when compared to the previous week, particularly in the South and Central regions. The North East rated at 72 per cent, the North West at 57 per cent and the Peace Region at 90 per cent, all recorded slight increases.
On the other hand, sub-surface soil moisture levels are considered relatively favourable, although the southern half of the province is experiencing some dryness. Provincially, 58 per cent of sub-surface moisture is rated good-to-excellent, above the five-year average of 55 per cent.
Sub-surface moisture conditions reportedly declined in all regions from the previous week, except in the Peace Region. Regional good-to-excellent ratings (change from last week) are 44 per cent in the South (-4 per cent), 58 per cent in Central (-2 per cent), 63 per cent in the North East (-1 per cent), 51 per cent in the North West (-3 per cent) and 100 per cent in the Peace Region (+1 per cent).
Provincial pasture conditions rated good-to-excellent are at 49 per cent, below the five- and 10-year averages of 55 per cent and 61 per cent.
The Peace Region recorded an increase in good-to-excellent pasture conditions (+5 per cent), while the North East remained stable. However, the South, Central and North West regions reported declines from the previous week, with ratings falling by 10, 15 and two per cent, respectively. The South Region leads with 54 per cent of pasture growth rated good-to-excellent, followed by Central (53 per cent), North East (43 per cent), North West (42 per cent) and Peace (28 per cent).
According to the report, tame hay growth is rated good-to-excellent at 44 per cent, below the five-year average of 55 per cent and the 10-year average of 61 per cent. Tame hay conditions in the Peace region improved, though the South, Central and North West regions saw declines, while the North East region remained stable.
Current good-to-excellent ratings (change from last week) for tame hay are 56 per cent in the South region (-11 per cent), 42 per cent in the Central (-11 per cent), 40 per cent in the North East (zero), 42 per cent in the North West (-2 per cent) and 38 per cent in the Peace region (+4 per cent).
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