Twenty-four per cent of Alberta’s crop has been planted, the May 9 provincial crop report said. Unseasonably warm temperatures pushed seeding progress forward across the province. Last week only three per cent of the crop was in the ground.
This week’s seeding progress is up from the five-year average of 23 per cent and down from the 10-year average of 26 per cent. Progress in the south is still 16 per cent behind the five-year average for major crops, the north west and Peace regions are ahead of average, respectively at 22 per cent and 33 per cent done, compared to the five-year averages of 13 per cent and 11 per cent, the release said.
Emergence of major crops has started in the southern region reporting three per cent, the central region reporting one per cent, the north east region reporting zero per cent, the north west region reporting one per cent and the Peace region reporting one per cent. The release noted the provincial average for crop emergence is one per cent.
Scattered showers were reported across the province over the last week, the report said. Both surface and sub-surface soil moisture ratings remain mixed across the province.
There’s currently a provincial state of emergency in place due to numerous wildfires in the province. Survey responses from the north west, north east and Peace regions indicated wildfire activity is affecting some crop and pasture land, the report noted. Evacuations, road closures and wildfire activity could impact seeding progress over the next week.
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