Widespread showers and thunderstorms have continued to dominate weather patterns over the past several weeks. However, most areas across the province have also had some sunny and warm days to help mature crops.
Provincially, crop growing conditions did not change from a week ago and are rated as 84 per cent good to excellent, compared with the five-year average (2011-2015) of 69 per cent. About 78 to 85 per cent of spring wheat, barley, canola and dry peas are in good to excellent conditions, while oats are at 90 per cent. Most spring cereal crops are at the dough development stage.
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Harvest operations are beginning across the province slightly behind the five-year average. Provincially, three per cent of crops are in the bin, compared to the five-year average of four per cent and two per cent are in the swath, compared to the five-year average of three per cent. About one per cent of spring wheat and canola, three per cent of barley and 19 per cent of peas in Alberta have been combined, while one per cent of spring wheat, two per cent of barley and dry peas and three per cent of canola are in the swath.
Surface and sub-surface soil moisture ratings (five-year averages in brackets) across the province remained stable at 85 (62) and 81 (64) per cent good to excellent, respectively with two (one) and one (less than one) per cent excessive. Pasture conditions are rated as four (13) per cent poor, 18 (30) per cent fair, 60 (44) per cent good and 18 (13) per cent excellent. Tame hay conditions have similar ratings and are reported as six (13) per cent poor, 18 (31) per cent fair, 56 (43) per cent good and 20 (13) per cent excellent.
