Alberta Crop Report - July 16, 2024

Thirty-degree weather and minimal precipitation has stressed many crops across the province. Until this week, major crop conditions have been stable, with 74 per cent rated good to excellent for the last three weeks, which then dropped marginally this week to 73 per cent good to excellent (Table 1). While conditions are still rated above the 5- and 10-year average provincially, crops are starting to show signs of heat stress, like heat blast in canola, while other crops are coming out of flowering prematurely or dropping tillers. The effect of these hot conditions will be seen in the initial yield predictions in the coming weeks. The forecast for continued hot weather this week, could have more impact on crops that are in crucial reproductive stages. 

Though there are many comments about crops progressing quickly, provincial crop staging is right on track with the 5- and 10-year average. Spring cereals are just near the end of head emergence; 77 per cent of all broadleaf crops are flowering and 17 per cent are podding, which is slightly ahead of the historical average. Spring cereals are most advanced in the South and Central Regions, where they have just started flowering, while the other regions range between half and three-quarters of heads emerged. Reports of pest pressures over threshold are below the historical provincial average, except for flea beetles. All regions are reporting some pressure from gophers.  

While surface soil moisture in some regions improved, sub-surface soil moisture decreased in all regions. Currently, the highest rated sub-surface soil moisture is in the Peace Region, at 85 per cent good to excellent, while the lowest is in the Central Region, with 20 per cent good to excellent. Sub-surface soil moisture is crucial for crops that are currently trying to set seed, therefore it will be important for them to receive rain. Provincially, sub-surface soil moisture (5-year average) is rated as 47 (54) per cent good to excellent. Sub-surface (5-year average) is rated 45 (36) per cent good to excellent in the South, 20 (6) per cent good to excellent in the Central, 63 (64) per cent good to excellent in the North East, 57 (58) per cent good to excellent in the North West, and 85 (65) per cent good to excellent in the Peace Region (Table 2). 

Tame hay crop ratings increased through most of the growing season due to adequate precipitation. However, the hot weather over the last three weeks has caused conditions to decrease. Since last week, provincial tame hay that rated good to excellent has decreased from 66 per cent to 62 per cent. Provincially, 70 per cent of first cut hay has been baled, ahead of the 5-year average of 42 per cent. Dryland yields are averaging 1.5 tons per acre, above the 5-year average of 1.4 tons per acre. Of already cut tame hay, 76 per cent is rated in good to excellent condition. Regionally, tame hay (5-year average) is rated as 66 (41) per cent good to excellent in the South, 43 (66) per cent good to excellent in the Central, 73 (54) per cent good to excellent in the North East, 66 (64) per cent good to excellent in the North West, and 71 (52) per cent good to excellent in the Peace Region (Table 3).