Alberta Major Crop Conditions Steady 

Alberta major crop conditions held steady this past week, as warmer temperatures arrived in all regions of the province. 

Friday’s crop report pegged the condition of major crops (spring wheat, oats, barley, canola, and peas) at 74% good to excellent as of Tuesday, unchanged from July 2 and still comfortably above the five- and 10-year averages of 63% and 65%. 

However, the report noted that warmer than ideal evening and overnight temperatures are not providing crops with a break from the hot days, which could stress those crops that have begun flowering over the last week.  

“Slightly cooler temperatures and additional moisture in the weeks ahead would be beneficial as the spring crops progress through flowering and into seed development,” the report said. 

The provincewide spring wheat crop was rated 78% good to excellent as of Tuesday, down a single point from a week earlier, while the condition of the oat and barley crops also slipped a single point to 74% and 77%, respectively. The condition of the canola crop was steady at 67% and peas gained 2 points to 77%. 

Major spring cereals continue to develop at a rate near historical averages. On average, spring wheat is reported as at the early stages of head emergence, barley is at the late stages of booting (i.e. head development within the stem) and oats are at the early stages of booting. 

Surface soil moisture was rated 66% good to excellent across the province as of Tuesday, down from 75% a week earlier but above the five- and 10-year averages of 61%. 

Region One: South (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)  

• The warm weather was beneficial for crop development this week. Spring wheat, barley and oats are all reported to be mainly at the early stages of head emergence.  

• Crop conditions rated as good to excellent are 77 per cent for major crops. Specifically, regional major crops are currently rated 1 per cent poor, 22 per cent fair, 60 per cent good and 17 per cent excellent.  

• Gophers and grasshoppers have caused damage in certain areas, primarily affecting canola fields.  

• Hay operation is well underway with significant progress over the past week. Conditions of tame hay are reported as 7 per cent poor, 30 per cent fair, 51 per cent good, and 13 per cent excellent.  

Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen) 

• Producers have been spraying fungicide during cooler temperature windows over the past week, and crop development is progressing smoothly due to the recent heat. Spring cereal crop development ranges from early booting to head emergence. 

• Central major crop conditions is matching the South Region with good to excellent ratings reported at 77 per cent. Detailed regional ratings are 1 per cent poor, 22 per cent fair, 66 per cent good and 11 per cent excellent. 

• Crops are generally progressing well. Canola in certain fields is facing challenges due to increasing concerns about gopher infestations.  

• Warmer temperatures are ideal for haying, leading to substantial progress over the past week. Tame hay conditions are reported as 7 per cent poor, 47 per cent fair, 42 per cent good, and 4 per cent excellent.  

Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)  

• Fungicide applications are well underway over the past week. Spring wheat, barley, and oats are mostly reported to be in the late stages of booting.  

• Major crops reported as in good to excellent condition are 71 per cent for major crops, based on a regional rating of 3 per cent poor, 26 per cent fair, 66 per cent good and 5 per cent excellent  

• Warmer temperatures are optimal for haying, and considerable progress has been achieved over the past week. Conditions of tame hay are reported as 2 per cent poor, 24 per cent fair, 64 per cent good, and 9 per cent excellent.  

Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)  

• Crops are now growing rapidly with warmer temperatures, and fungicide applications are underway. Spring cereals are mostly at the head emergence stage of development.  

• The proportion of major crops rated in good to excellent condition is at 69 per cent, with regional ratings at 0 per cent poor, 30 per cent fair, 54 per cent good and 15 per cent excellent.  

• The hay operation is progressing smoothly and is well underway. Tame hay conditions are reported as 1 per cent poor, 15 per cent fair, 48 per cent good, and 35 per cent excellent.  

Region Five: Peace (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview) 

• Spring wheat, barley, and oats are mostly reported to be in the late stages of booting.  

• Good to excellent ratings for major crops are reported at 74 per cent, with current ratings of 5 per cent poor, 21 per cent fair, 61 per cent good and 13 per cent excellent.  

• Hay operation is well underway, and warmer temperatures are perfect for haying. Tame hay conditions are reported as 4 per cent poor, 21 per cent fair, 63 per cent good, and 12 per cent excellent.