Crop development in Alberta is advancing aggressively following rains early in June, the June 27 provincial crop report said. There has also been significant year-over-year improvement in soil moisture levels across the province.
The report noted 75 per cent of all crops in the province are rated in good or excellent condition, which is only marginally behind both the five-year and 10-year averages. Mustard, durum wheat, and potatoes are the lowest rated crops qualitatively, whereas chickpeas, spring wheat, oats and flax are rated in the best condition. While barley, canola, and dry peas are relatively in line with long-term provincial averages for this time in the growing season.
Growth and development staging is still modestly behind long-term averages, the report said.
“Notably though, these delays in growth and development compared to long-term normal are narrowing as the season progresses.”
Over the first two weeks of June, significant areas of the province received from 40-125 mm of rain. The report noted crop reporters are now able to start telling the story of the impact of those rain events. Before the rain, province-wide crop emergence was at 55 per cent, behind the five-year average of 61 per cent. Now, 57 percent of all crops are in the rosette or 7-12 node stage and closer to the five-year average of 60 per cent.
“The early June rains seem to have given crops the opportunity to advance and catch up closer to long-term average for development and growth.”
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