ALBERTA
SOUTH
Crop development is very good after a lot of rain at the end of June. However, some yellowing has occurred in areas that saw localized flooding.
A hail storm late last week swept past Fort Macleod and southeast to Warner, damaging some canola crops. Hail was also reported in the Wrentham and Coaldale areas at the end of June and on July 3 near Strathmore.
Most crops are in the bloom stage and early seeded canola is beginning to pod. Potatoes and corn are a bit behind because of the cool spring but heat is allowing them to catch up.
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Stripe rust is showing up on winter cereals. Haying and silaging are well under way with good yields reported.
CENTRAL
A July 3 hail storm resulted in claims from Lacombe, Red Deer and Vulcan areas. The Stettler area saw a couple of fields obliterated by hail.
Rain and heat have helped cereal crops progress but canola has started to suffer a bit in the heat. Much of the region didn’t get enough spring moisture and needs more rain.
Livestock producers are reporting excellent haying conditions and yields.
NORTHEAST
The northeast has seen a lot of rain and some crops are flooded. There is concern about whether late-seeded crops will mature before frost.
The pea disease aphanomyces root rot appears to have shown up near Provost.
NORTHWEST
Hail claims were reported in the Barrhead, Westlock and Athabasca areas after a July 3 storm.
Growing conditions are generally good and haying is underway.
PEACE
The Peace region remains exceptionally dry, particularly in the north central and north regions and producers are becoming concerned about their crops as condition deteriorates. There have been less than 50 mm of rain since spring and crops, hay and pasture all need moisture.
A severe wheat midge outbreak was reported in the east Peace near Falher.
Haying continues but yields are below average.
SASKATCHEWAN
SOUTH
The Moosomin area experienced yet another storm and significant rainfall, pushing the total for the area to 535 millimetres since April and keeping it at the top of provincial rainfall totals.
Excess moisture continues to be a problem, causing localized flooding. At the same time, some areas in the southwest report drought conditions.
The Canadian Crop Hail Association, in its first report for the year, noted claims from Carlyle and Rockglen from a late May storm.
Livestock producers have cut between six and 10 percent of the hay crop. Quality so far is rated 25 percent excellent, 60 percent good, 10 percent fair and five percent poor in eastern regions. In the west, hay is rated 10 percent excellent, 80 percent good and 10 percent fair.
Most crop damage in the south is due to localized flooding, wind and insects such as alfalfa weevil, cutworms and cabbage seedpod weevils. Root rots and leaf diseases are also showing up in the wet conditions.
CENTRAL
A July 5 hail storm, including stones the size of baseballs, has resulted in claims from the Wilkie, Outlook, Hanley, Imperial, Govan/Strasbourg, Raymore, Balcarres and Fort Qu’Appelle areas. Tornados also touched down in several fields.
The Foam Lake area has received 499 mm of rain since April to top the central region. Flooded fields and access roads continue to affect producers mainly in eastern areas. Crops are yellowing.
Topsoil moisture conditions are rated 70 percent surplus on cropland in the east and five percent surplus in the west.
Cool, wet conditions have limited haying operations in the east where just one percent has been cut. Quality is rated 15 percent excellent, 75 percent good, five percent fair and five percent poor.
In the west, five percent has been cut; 90 percent is good and 10 percent is fair. Yields are not expected to be as high as normal.
Crop damage from water, insects, wind and diseases is reported. Fungicide application is underway.
NORTH
Hafford leads the rainfall chart in the northern region at 344 mm since April 1.
Continued rainfall is delaying crop development and spraying, and field access continues to be a problem.
Livestock producers have cut about two percent of the hay crop in eastern areas and 10 percent in the west. Quality is considered 100 percent good in the east; in the west quality is 20 percent excellent and 80 percent good. Topsoil moisture is considered 70 percent surplus in the east but only five percent surplus in the west on cropland.
Warm, dry weather is needed throughout the region.
Flooding, diseases, hail, wind and insects are all causing crop damage. Spraying is underway when possible.
MANITOBA
SOUTHWEST
Much of the extreme southwest remains very wet, including land near the Assiniboine River. Warmer weather over the last week to 10 days has allowed crops to recover. Losses due to flooding and standing water are still being assessed.
Fungicide application is underway, due to high risk of sclerotinia in canola. Some late seeded canola is flowering prematurely.
Soybeans are doing well in the wet conditions. Most producers are planning to spray for fusarium.
Limited haying is occurring due to wet conditions. A forage shortage is expected.
Hail also damaged crops during several storms.
NORTHWEST
There has been limited drying progress due to intermittent thunderstorms. Crops have been sitting in water and are starting to show the effects. Canola is more affected than wheat. Crop development is variable. Canola ranges from 20 percent at seedling to 50 percent rosette to 30 percent flowering. Ten percent of spring wheat is still emerging while 30 percent is flowering. Corn crops are rated poor.
Some fungicide application has been done, as well as spraying for weed control on unseeded fields.
Some haying progress was made. Yields will be average to above, except in the Swan Valley area where below average yield and quality are expected.
More warm, windy weather is needed.
CENTRAL
Crop conditions vary across the region depending on rainfall. Early seeded crops are faring better than later seeded crops, although spots are drowned out in both types of fields.
The most advanced spring cereals have finished flowering while late seeded canola is bolting and flowering early because of excess moisture. Blackleg is also becoming a problem
Soybean fields are showing signs of iron chlorosis, or yellowing, but are greening up in the warmer weather. Edible beans are also showing moisture stress.
Hail caused significant damage in an area east of Crystal City to Manitou and Kaleida earlier this month.
Herbicide and fungicide applications are continuing depending on weather and moisture. Late-seeded canola won’t warrant fungicide application because of poor yield potential.
Scouting for diamondback moth, bertha armyworm and other insects continues.
First cut hay is yielding 1.5 to four bales per acre. High water levels around Lake Manitoba will continue to cause problems for forage acres.
EASTERN
Crops need an extended period of warm dry weather to recover from excess moisture and advance. Winter wheat is showing moisture stress and the past week showed more dead or stressed areas in all types of crops. Yields are expected to be below average as a result.
Some fields won’t receive more inputs because of the low yield potential.
Spraying of herbicides and fungicides is hampered by wet conditions. Aerial application of fungicides on spring wheat and canola is occurring.
About 30 percent of the hay has been harvested.
INTERLAKE
Warm weather has helped advance crops and dried out fields during the past week. Most producers are busy applying herbicides and fungicides and assessing crop damage from overland flooding. Canola and spring cereals are showing the most damage while soybeans seem to be handling the moisture well.
Grasshoppers are an issue in some cereal and forage fields in northern areas. Pasture and hay land has been affected by heavy rain and flooding. Production and quality will suffer as a result.
