Recent rainfall has brought some relief to Central Alberta farmers, according to the provincial government's latest government.
All of the region's crop conditions, as of June 17, are rated 52.8 per cent good to excellent, which is well below the five-year average of 72.4 per cent and 10-year average of 70 per cent. Provincially, crop conditions are rated 50 per cent good to excellent, also below the five- and 10-year averages of 71 and 70 per cent, respectively.
"However, with continued precipitation this week, conditions are expected to improve in the coming weeks," states the Alberta Crop Report released on Friday, June 20.
"Major crops are currently all rated below their historical averages, with good to excellent conditions ranging from 45 per cent for canola to 52 per cent for dry peas. While conditions have varied, crop development remains ahead of typical seasonal progress, with spring cereals nearing stem elongation and fall-seeded crops well into flowering."
Post-emergent spraying is underway across all regions. Spraying is most advanced in the South and Central Regions at 84 and 77 per cent complete. Provincially, 66 per cent of spraying is complete, ahead of the five- and 10-year averages of 49 and 51 per cent, respectively.
"Pest pressures are low, with grasshoppers rated as minimal activity provincially at 86 per cent, consistent with historical averages," the report states, noting flea beetles are more active in the South Region, while other pests are rated as minimal with no major outbreaks reported.
Recent precipitation has contributed to improving moisture conditions, but early season dryness continues to slow pasture and tame hay growth across the province. Compared to last week, pasture conditions have improved slightly provincially, with the proportion rated good to excellent rising to 41 per cent (up four per cent), while tame hay ratings declined to 38 per cent (down two per cent).
Provincially, pasture (tame hay) growth conditions are rated at 17 (19) per cent poor, 42 (44) per cent fair, 39 (31) per cent good, and two (six) per cent excellent. Overall, 59 per cent of pastures and 62 per cent of tame hay fields remain in poor to fair condition, with good to excellent ratings below the five- and 10-year averages across all regions.
Rainfall over the week led to noticeable improvements in soil moisture reserves across all regions. However, surface and sub-surface moisture levels rated good to excellent remain below the five- and 10-year averages in all areas. Provincially, surface moisture stands at 37 per cent good to excellent, up 17 per cent from last week, while sub-surface moisture is at 38 per cent good to excellent, up 11 per cent over the same period.
Regionally, surface soil moisture rated good to excellent has improved and is reported at 41 per cent in the Central, up 25 percentage points from last week.
