Crop conditions remain historically strong overall, but excess moisture is hurting northern fields while heat is beginning to draw down reserves in southern and central Alberta.
Alberta’s crop outlook remains generally positive, but the provincial average is hiding two very different growing seasons.
As of July 21, 63 per cent of Alberta’s major crops were rated in good-to-excellent condition, down just one percentage point from the previous week. That remains well above the five-year average of 47 per cent and slightly above the 10-year average of 59 per cent.
Conditions are strongest in southern and central Alberta, where 85 and 81 per cent of major crops, respectively, were rated good to excellent. Ratings fall sharply farther north, reaching 54 per cent in the Peace, 48 per cent in the North East and only 31 per cent in the North West.
The problem is no longer simply a lack of moisture. In parts of northern Alberta, there is too much of it.
Continued rainfall has left fields saturated, increased disease pressure and made it difficult for farmers to complete fungicide applications and haying. In the North West, 42 per cent of surface soil moisture was rated excessive. Major crop conditions in the region are now below both the five- and 10-year averages.
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