A year ago, only 54 percent of the crop had been seeded at this time because of heavy rain. The eastern and southern regions were particularly affected. This year, about 74 percent of the province’s crops are in the ground, four points above the five-year average.
South
About three quarters of the crop is seeded, however seeding activity was mostly shutdown due to heavy precipitation early this week.
The southeastern region was hit hardest with the largest amount of rainfall. The Tantallon area received 98 milimetres of precipitation last week, bringing the total received since April 1 to 242 mm. In the southwest, the Eyebrow area received the greatest amount of precipitation since April 1 with 237 mm.
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Varied precipitation and warm temperatures were generally beneficial for crop development across Alberta during the week ended July 8, according to the latest provincial crop report released July 11.
Across the south, 76 percent of emerging crops have flood damage.
Frost and wind damage affected several crops and some canola fields had to be reseeded.
An estimated 11 percent of acres in the south overall remain unseeded due to excess moisture, compared to five percent in the southwest only.
Warm and dry conditions are needed for weed control and seeding.
Central
Seeding in the east-central area lags furthest behind in the province with 59 percent of crop in the ground.
Rain delayed seeding in the east-central and west-central regions. In the central-east region, the Goodeve area received the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1 at 242mm. In the west-central, Hanley has had 204 mm.
Across the central region, about 25 percent of emerged crops have flooding damage and about 10 percent have frost damage.
Cool night temperatures have slowed crop emergence.
North
The northern regions lead the province for the amount of completed seeding compared to the five-year average. The northwest region has 86 percent of crop seeded with soil moisture near perfect.
Both areas saw significant increases in seeding progress this week. Only five percent of acres remain unseeded due to excess moisture.
Porcupine Plain led the eastern region for precipitation, recording 84 mm last week, bringing the total received since April 1 to 195 mm.
In the west-central area, the Hafford area recorded the highest amount at 67 mm, bringing the total rainfall received since April 1 to 162 mm.
Less than 10 percent of emerging crop has flood damage.
Frost has affected about seven percent of crops. Some canola crops may need to be reseeded due to frost and flea beetle damage.
