Western Producer Crop Report – for Jun. 17, 2010

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Published: June 17, 2010

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Alberta

South

Too much moistureFields in southern Alberta have many potholes and most are filled with water. It is extremely wet and more rain is forecast. Seeding is about 90 percent complete and some farmers will miss the crop insurance deadline. Some crops are drowned or the seed has rotted from sitting in cold, damp soil. Some spraying has started, but the weeds may get ahead of the crops. Reports of diamondback moths and cutworms have farmers checking fields. Pasture and hay land looks better than it did last year, but heat is needed.

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Central

Spraying underwayMost fields are drying up. Crops already seeded are starting to respond to the heat. Seeding is mostly complete and farmers have started to spray for weeds. Some fields are rutted from sprayers.There are reports of cutworms and diamondback moths. Canola is growing slowly and needs heat. Some winter rye crops have been cut for green feed.Hay and pasture crops look very green and are growing well. The first cut of hay will be heavy if there is good heat.

Northwest

Cutworm reportedSeeding is mostly complete and spraying has begun. Fields are dry enough that the sprayers are not leaving too many ruts. The crops germinated well and need heat.There is some pooling of water, but most moisture is welcome and water is soaking in. There are reports of cutworms. Some grasshoppers have started to appear in the pastures. Hay and pasture land is doing well.

Northeast

Pastures look goodAll crops are growing well. The region received at least 75 millimetres of moisture since spring began.Seeding is mostly complete and spraying for weeds is underway.There are limited reports of pests. The grasshopper surveys will begin shortly. Hay and pasture land looks good. Most farmers are able to keep their cattle on pasture without additional feed. The dugouts are low.

Peace and B.C.

Canola needs heatHay and pasture land is good. Crops look good, except for canola, which needs heat. Peas, wheat and barley are growing alongside weeds like dandelions, sow thistle and Canada thistle. Toadflax has made an early appearance. Insects are not yet a problem. Dugouts are full from winter runoff and most crops have good moisture.

Manitoba

Southwest

Winter wheat headingScattered rain fell, but warm temperatures over the weekend allowed fields to dry out enough for spraying. Crops are advancing quickly. About 15 percent of acres remain unseeded and may not get seeded before crop insurance deadlines. Winter wheat is heading while most fall rye has headed out. Forage crops are advancing and look good.

Central

Excessive moistureA large number of fields in the Fannystelle, Starbuck and Elie region may not be seeded because of excessive moisture. Reseeding is taking place across the region. Weed control is an issue in certain fields and planes are being used to spray weeds. Winter wheat and fall rye are beginning to head out. Diamondback moth traps show high numbers.

East

Leaf diseases reportedRain kept spraying equipment off the fields. Ground and aerial applicators are getting called to spray wet fields. Barley and oats are tillering while some wheat fields are approaching the flag leaf stage. Leaf diseases are beginning to appear and many crops are turning yellow with the excess moisture. Nodulation is well established in the plant roots of soybeans. Corn and sunflowers look good. Alfalfa fields are budding.

Interlake

Fields saturatedThe Gunton area reported 85 to 100 mm of rain in one afternoon. Fields in many areas are saturated and cereal crop leaves are turning pale green from water stress and loss of nitrogen. Herbicide application is a struggle, with ground applicators leaving deep ruts in the field. Early planted canola crops are in the early bud stage, but water stress has taken its toll. Alfalfa hay crops have started to bloom. Pastures are generally in good condition and growth is excellent.

Northwest

Ruts in fieldsSignificant rain fell during the week. About 15 percent of intended acreage is unseeded. Some areas have 50 percent of fields unseeded. The remaining 50 to 80 percent of the crops are yellowed due to wet soil and possible nitrogen loss. About 30 percent of spraying is complete and rutting is evident in fields. Cereal crop diseases are developing.

Saskatchewan

Southwest

Unseeded fieldsRain showers missed much of the southwest, allowing seeding to progress. Completion varies from 38 to 100 percent. Some farmers have been forced to chemical fallow or summer fallow unseeded fields. Pastures are in good condition.

Southeast

Diseases reportedSeeding is 40 to 99 percent complete. Some farmers managed to get onto their fields between showers. The region received an average 25 millimetres of rain. Flooding has damaged emerging crops and there are reports of leaf diseases, including ascochyta blight and sclerotinia. Heat is needed to give crops a boost.

West-Central

Frost, hail damageAbout 85 percent of the crop is in the ground, although it ranges from 53 to 100 percent. The area missed most of the recent rain and allowed farmers to tackle weeds. Floods, frost and hail damage were reported. Seeded crops are showing stress from the excess moisture. Hay and pasture land is looking good.

East-Central

Moisture stressSeeding completion ranges from five to 90 percent. Farmers have been able to seed on higher ground with lighter soil. Rain ranged from 35 mm at Jedburgh to 53 mm in Kamsack. Since April, 130 to 293 mm have fallen. Emerged crops are under severe moisture stress. Some have given up trying to seed and will chemical fallow.

Northwest

Flooding damageSeeding completion is 50 to 99 percent. Only 35 percent of the area has topsoil moisture considered excessive. Flooding has damaged much of the early seeded crops. There are also reports of frost and hail damage. Crops are emerging and generally look good. Pastures and hay crops look good and dugouts are full.

Northeast

Seed being returnedSeeding completion ranges from 20 to 75 percent. Since the beginning of April, 125 to 278 mm of rain have fallen. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 96 percent surplus and four percent adequate. Hay and pasture topsoil moisture is also rated as surplus. Some farmers are returning seed to retail outlets. Some seeded crops are flooded and may not recover.

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