Over the past week, most areas of the province received at least 10 mm of rain, with the western areas of the Southern, Central and North West Regions as well as southern areas of the Peace Region receiving over 20-30 mm of rain. About 96 per cent of crops across the province have now been seeded and about 86 per cent have emerged. Regionally, seeding is complete in the South and Central Regions. For the rest of the province, seeding progress is at 97 per cent in the North East, 95 per cent in the North West and 78 per cent in the Peace Region. However, with an improvement in weather, these Regions could see some more barley and oats seeded. Provincially, fall seeded crops are in the head emergence stage, while the growth stages for other cereals, oilseeds and pulses is somewhat varied, due to the delay in seeding in most parts of the province.
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Provincially, crop growing conditions are 80 per cent good to excellent, above the 5-year (2012-2016) average of 73 per cent. About 80 per cent of spring wheat, 83 per cent of barley, 76 per cent of oats, 77 per cent of canola, 83 per cent of dry peas, 89 per cent of potatoes and 94 per cent of sugar beets are in good to excellent condition.
Multiple rainfall over the past several weeks have led to above normal soil moisture reserves in both the North East and North West Regions. Provincially, surface soil moisture is rated (sub-surface soil moisture ratings shown in brackets) at eight (nine) per cent poor to fair, 42 (43) per cent good, 36 (35) per cent excellent and 14 (13) per cent excessive. Pasture conditions (tame hay conditions are in brackets) for the province are reported as eight (10) per cent poor to fair, 60 (58) per cent good and 32 (32) per cent excellent.
Click here to read the full report on the Alberta Agriculture website, complete with graphics and a breakdown by regions.
