Southwest
Thirty to 100 millimetres of precipitation were recorded, which was welcome for late seeded soybean and sunflower crops. The moisture was accompanied by high winds, which resulted in severe lodging in less mature crops.
Canola swathing has begun with reports of average to above average stands.
It is estimated the soybean crop will reach maturity in 20 to 30 days, depending on the variety in combination with warmer temperatures.
Flax crops are beginning to change colour and continue to have excellent yield potential.
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Alberta Crop Report: Rains in the south, dryness in the north
Rain fell onto the southern half of Alberta last week, while hot and dry conditions persisted in the northern half, according to the province’s crop report released on July 18.
Most of the hay harvest is complete with only silage, native and ditch hay remaining. Quality continues to be well above average with first cut yields averaging about 80 percent normal. Second cutting of alfalfa is entering the early bud stage with excellent yields projected. Barley silage yields are reported as average.
Pastures have improved after recent rain and cooler temperatures.
Northwest
Rainfall was 19 to more than 100 mm with cooler temperatures that caused lodging.
Most of the wheat is in the dough stage and most canola has podded. Swathing for both had begun before the rain. The moisture also brought harvest of winter cereals and early seeded barley crops to a standstill.
Most soybeans and field peas have podded.
Wheat is showing symptoms of fusarium head blight and glume blotch. Some canola fields have signs of sclerotinia, blackleg and root rot. Wild oats, barnyard grass, foxtail barley and Canada thistle are showing up in some fields. Cleavers are also evident in canola crops as well as confirmation of lygus bugs where fields were sprayed.
Rain helped replenish dugouts and improve pasture conditions.
Central
Precipitation amounts were 30 to 75 mm with some isolated areas receiving more than 125 mm.
Lodging occurred in some crops, but late maturing crops will benefit from more moisture.
Harvest of winter wheat is nearing completion with average yields in the 50 to 65 bu. per acre. Quality is down for many with fusarium damaged kernels at levels of .5 to 20 percent.
Most barley is harvested with yields of 70 to 100 bu. per acre. Early yield reports for spring wheat are 60 to 65 bu. per acre with good quality. Protein reports range from 11 to 13.5 percent. Preharvest applications continue.
Early yield reports of harvested oats are 100 to 130 bu. per acre with good test weight.
About half of canola is swathed. Harvested fields are reporting yields around 40 bu. per acre. Most soybeans are podding, and edible beans continue to mature. Desiccation has begun.
Corn development varies with many fields in the dough stage. Sunflowers have flowered.
Rust, brown girdling root rot, blackleg, sclerotinia infection, leaf spotting brown spot, bacterial blight and downy mildew are causing crop infestations, but are not widespread.
Control measures for insect damage are mostly below economic thresholds, but scouting is encouraged.
While precipitation is replenishing pastures, it has stalled second cut hay and greenfeed operations.
Eastern
Precipitation was two to 58 mm with a mix of weather, including fog, high humidity and cooler temperatures.
The moisture will help maintain yield potential in soybean and corn crops, but more heat units are needed for maturity and harvest.
Harvest will begin once fields dry. Yields are expected to be down in soybeans and corn as a result of previous dry conditions. Sunflowers appear to be in good shape.
Insect activity and damage are well below economic threshold levels.
Pastures and the cattle on them are doing well. There’s adequate winter feed supplies with a small surplus in hay supplies.
Interlake
Total accumulation of rain was 55 to 85 mm, along with cool temperatures.
Harvest of winter wheat is ongoing with average yields of 55 to 65 bu. per acre. Fusarium damaged kernels levels are two to five percent.
Canola is being swathed as maturity dictates. Soybeans continue to stay green and fill. Most corn is at the blister milk stage and needs more heat as it matures.
Harvest continues for forage grass seed, and most timothy is completed. Average yields are reported.
There are reports of grasshopper damage in some grass hay fields and pastures.
