Cool, wet, and windy weather continued to slow spring fieldwork across Alberta over the past week, leaving provincial seeding progress behind normal despite strong advances in southern areas of the province.
The weekly Alberta crop report on Friday showed the planting of all crops at 53% complete as of Tuesday, below both the five-year average of 61% and the 10-year average of 59%.
The South region remains far ahead of the rest of the province, with major crops 80% planted (spring wheat, oats, barley, canola, and peas) and all crops nearly 79% complete. Central Alberta was 59% seeded, while progress slowed considerably farther north due to excess moisture, cool temperatures, frost events, and persistent winds. Major crop seeding was only 36% complete in the North East and 33% complete in both the North West and Peace regions.
Spring wheat and dry peas continue to lead seeding activity provincially, with 66% and 70% planted, respectively. Durum was nearly 78% seeded, driven largely by strong progress in southern Alberta, while barley was 55% complete. Canola and oats lagged behind, at 31% and 23% seeded respectively, reflecting delays in many regions.
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