Fields unseeded
Fields in southern Alberta are wet. Seeding is about 90 percent done and additional seeding is unlikely. Unseeded acres will be highest around Cardston, Pincher Creek and south of Lethbridge. Areas south of Highway 1 received extensive rain last week. Some areas around Medicine Hat and the Cypress Hills received nearly 150 mm June 19-20.
Crop in the ground
Crops and pastures across most of central Alberta are in excellent shape. Areas around Stettler, Red Deer, Consort, Castor and Coronation have all received ample rain this spring. Seeding is nearly 100 percent complete in most areas. There are widespread reports of cutworms.
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Rain would be nice
Seeding is complete and spraying is well underway. Crops are in decent shape. Soil moisture levels are fair, but crops could use rain. Some areas are reporting cutworms. Grasshopper problems are likely in some areas. Pastures are in decent condition.
Spraying underway
Crops are advancing but areas north of Highway 16 need rain. Seeding is complete and spraying for weeds is well underway with some farmers nearing completion. .
Dryness an issue
Crop progress varies. Topsoil moisture is low in southern and central areas, and rain is needed. Moisture is more plentiful in areas further north, and crops look good. Pastures and forage crops are showing stress.
Region drenched
Generalized rain brought 20 to 30 millimetres to most areas. Some communities received as much as 100 mm between June 14-21. Flooding is widespread in the Maple Creek area. Flood waters caused the closure last week of Highway 1 from Maple Creek to the Alberta border. About 90 percent of intended acreage was seeded before last week’s rain.
Seeding is a wrap
Seeding has wrapped up. About 25 percent of acres are expected to go unseeded. Cereals and oilseeds are in good shape in the Weyburn area. Spraying is underway but progress is spotty. Flooding is common in some areas, with many crops under water or yellowed.
Most acres seeded
Seeding is complete. Unseeded acres will be relatively small, probably around five percent. Crops are advancing nicely and moisture is adequate throughout the region. Excess moisture is causing crop damage in low lying areas. Heat is needed to give crops and pastures a boost. Spraying is taking place, but progress is spotty due to moisture.
Heavy moisture
Rain fell over much of the region, delivering 20 to 30 mm. About 40 percent of acres will not be seeded this year. Topsoil moisture is excessive in almost all areas. Farmers have turned their attention from seeding to managing wet ground. Chem fallow acres will be widespread.
Looking for heat
Seeding complete, with about 90 percent of acres done. Much of the area received 20 to 30 mm of rain last week. Heat is needed to aid crop development and dry out land for spraying. Cutworm damage is common in many areas, especially on canola, flax and pulse crops.
Seeded acreage down
Farmers are finished seeding. Unseeded acres will be high, with farmers in some areas planting only 20 percent of their normal acreage. Overall, about 50 percent of this year’s intended acreage was planted. Some grass growers are likely to have trouble harvesting hay in a timely fashion. Spraying operations are well behind schedule. Weed populations are very high in most fields.
