Seeding Virtually Now Complete in Alberta

Alberta seeding is virtually now finished. 

Friday’s weekly crop report showed the planting of all crops across the province at 97% complete as of Tuesday, on par with the five-year average and a single point ahead of the 10-year average. 

Seeding progress in most regions is in line with historical averages, with the most notable exception being the Peace Region where continued overly dry conditions allowed seeding to reach 98% done as of Tuesday, 10 and 9 points ahead of the five- and 10-year averages, respectively. 

Corn, chickpea, and dry planting was complete as of Tuesday, followed by spring wheat and durum at 99%, flax at 98%, lentils at 97%, and canola at 96%. Planting of barley and mustard was 94% done, with oats at 89%. 

Widespread rains brought moisture across the province this past week, delaying seeding of some low-lying areas. However, it was favourable overall for crop emergence. Provincial emergence of all crops was reported at 67% as of Tuesday, on par with the five-year average and slightly ahead of the 10-year average. 

Surface soil moisture across the province was rated 75% good to excellent as of Tuesday, compared to 57% for the five-year average and 60% for the 10-year average. 

Region One: South (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)  

• South seeding progress for all crops (major crops) is 98 (99) per cent complete, compared to the five-year average of 100 (100) per cent.  

• Pest pressure from grasshoppers, flea beetles and army cutworms are noted as over threshold in some areas.  

• Sub-surface moisture is 8 per cent poor, 38 per cent fair, 46 per cent good, 8 per cent excellent, and 0 per cent excessive.  

• Conditions of tame hay are reported as 5 per cent poor, 31 per cent fair, 61 per cent good, and 3 per cent excellent.  

Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)  

• Central progress for seeding of all crops (major crops) is 98 (98) per cent complete, compared to the five-year average of 99 (99) per cent.  

• Pest pressure from flea beetles are slightly over threshold in some areas of the region.  

• Sub-surface moisture is 7 per cent poor, 33 per cent fair, 59 per cent good, 1 per cent excellent, and 0 per cent excessive.  

• Conditions of tame hay are reported as 2 per cent poor, 13 per cent fair, 73 per cent good, and 12 per cent excellent.  

Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)  

• North East seeding progress for all crops (major crops) is 95 (95) per cent complete, compared to the five-year average of 97 (97) per cent.  

• No pests are currently identified as over threshold, with limited pressure from grasshoppers and flea beetles reported.  

• Sub-surface moisture is 7 per cent poor, 15 per cent fair, 57 per cent good, 20 per cent excellent, and 1 per cent excessive.  

• Conditions of tame hay are reported as 0 per cent poor, 30 per cent fair, 65 per cent good, and 5 per cent excellent.  

Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)  

• North West progress on seeding of all crops (major crops) is 95 (95) per cent complete, compared to the five-year average of 94 (94) per cent.  

• No pests are currently identified as over threshold, with limited pressure from flea beetles reported.  

• Sub-surface moisture is 7 per cent poor, 21 per cent fair, 51 per cent good, 21 per cent excellent, and 0 per cent excessive.  

• Conditions of tame hay are reported as 0 per cent poor, 14 per cent fair, 56 per cent good, and 30 per cent excellent.