| | This information has been made available by Agriculture Financial Services.
The August 3, 2006 Crop Report is also available as a PDF file on the AFSC website.
Prepared by:
James Wright
Project Manager
Research and Program Development
Lacombe, AB
Telephone: (403)782-8336
Provincial
Following the hot, dry weather conditions during the last 3 weeks of July, most areas have returned to more seasonal temperatures and received some precipitation with the exception of southern Alberta. The effect of the hot, dry conditions has been to speed up crop development and to reduce yield estimates to an average expected crop in most areas. Concerns have also been raised regarding the potential of quality reductions due to light bushel weight. Harvest has begun in the SE corner of the province with isolated reports of harvesting of field peas and winter cereals in other areas. Pastures appear to have held up rather well despite the weather but regrowth of second cut hay has been seriously setback. Subsoil moisture conditions are currently rated at 29% poor/ 31% fair/35% good/ 5% excellent.
Lethbridge region
The hot, dry weather of July continued into early August. Most areas of the region have not received significant precipitation since mid June. Sub soil moisture is currently rated 27% poor/ 29% fair/ 32% good/ 12% excellent. This is a 20% drop from the ratings on July 20. Harvesting of winter cereals has started in the SE corner of the region with other crops to begin shortly. The harvest of winter cereals in other portions of the region should begin in the next week.
The hot weather has advanced crop development significantly which has reduced yield estimates down to an average crop. There are concerns about quality and light weight grain. Irrigated crops are performing very well with the irrigated special crops such as potatoes, sugar beets and dry beans, rated over 90% in good/excellent condition.
Insects have not been a problem with the exception of lygus bugs in a few areas. Pasture conditions have dropped only 7% since July 20 while tame hay ratings have dropped 22%. Following a good 1st cut dryland hay crop, it is anticipated that the 2nd cut will be light due to poor regrowth. Approximately 50% of the irrigated 2nd cut hay has been harvested with very good quality.
Red Deer region
3 weeks of hot, dry weather in July has been replaced by cooler, more seasonal temperatures in early August. The north west and north central areas have received good rainfall, the south west and south central areas have received only isolated showers, while the eastern portion has received spotty rainfall. The heat of the summer has advanced crop growth well ahead of normal with reports of swathing of peas, canola and winter cereals occurring in the east portion. Yield estimates have declined significantly in the past several weeks but an average crop overall is anticipated. Current subsoil moisture ratings are 17% poor/ 28% fair/ 50% good/ 5% excellent. These ratings are down only 2% from 2 weeks ago.
Pasture ratings have declined significantly in the past two week period, down 10% with 47% rated good/excellent while tame hay ratings have declined by 7% with 47% rated likewise. 2nd cut dryland hay has been slow to regrow.
Camrose region
The hot weather of the last 3 weeks of July has been replaced by cooler, showery weather since late in the month. Most areas have received 15 – 60 mm of precipitation over the past week which has improved crop conditions significantly but the damage has been done with an average to slightly below average yield expected across the region. Currently, only the swathing of winter cereals has started.
In the east/NE portion of the region, sub soil moisture is up 4% from 2 weeks ago at 27% poor/ 38% fair/ 34% good/ 1% excellent. In the west/NW portion, sub soil moisture ratings are virtually unchanged at 34% poor/ 36% fair/ 29% good/ 1% excellent. Pasture ratings are up 5% in the east/NE with only 21% rated good/excellent while down 1% in the west/NW with 27% of he area rated good/excellent. Tame hay in the east/NE portion is down 7% at 16% rated good/excellent but down 23% in the west/NW portion with 27% rated good/excellent.
Fairview region
The region has received cooler temperatures and variable precipitation since late July which has been beneficial. Much of the region has received between 15 – 70 mm of precipitation. Crop conditions are extremely variable with crop staging ahead of normal such that harvesting could likely begin in the next 7 – 10 days. The varying crop conditions means variable production potentials, with the region expected to yield slightly below average to average overall.
Sub soil moisture has increased slightly (+2%) over the past two weeks to 32% rated good/excellent.
Pasture and tame hay ratings have declined 10% since July 20 to only 26% of the region rated good/excellent.
Compiled By: James Wright
Project Manager
Research and Program Development
AFSC, Lacombe, AB |
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