The latest crop report shows light showers across most of the province in the last week has helped to improve soil moisture conditions.
Overall, farmers now have 77 per cent of the 2024 crop seeded, with about 40 per cent now emerged despite the cool wet weather.
Seeding is most advanced in the Peace Region at 86 per cent, followed by the South Region at 84 per cent, the North East and North West Region have the most left to seed with 71 and 72 per cent complete.
Despite concerns that the cool wet weather is delaying crop progress, emergence is marginally ahead of the 5- and 10-year averages. As well, growth stages of provincial cereals are on track with their historical averages.
According to the report surface soil moisture conditions declined slightly across the province despite light showers in many regions, however, they remained above the 5- and 10-year averages. Surface soil moisture rated good to excellent is the highest in the North East at 91 per cent and the North West at 82 per cent. The lowest conditions were in the Peace Region at 64 per cent good to excellent. Over the past week, conditions declined by 5 per cent in the South to 71 per cent, 2 per cent to 80 per cent in the Central, 5 per cent to 82 per cent in the North West and 6 per cent to 64 per cent in the Peace. The only region that had an increase was the North East Region, up 1 per cent to 91 per cent good to excellent.
Sub-surface soil moisture conditions were quite stable across the province, though there were small decreases in the Peace Region and small increases in the Central Region. Provincial conditions rated good to excellent were stable at 66 per cent. Regional sub-surface soil moisture conditions (per cent rated on May 21, 2024) rated good to excellent were 55 (54) in the South Region, 67 (64) per cent in the Central Region, 78 (78) per cent in the North East, 65 (65) in the North West and 82 (87) per cent in the Peace Region. While surface and sub-surface soil moisture conditions were quite stable in most regions, the drier week allowed seeding to progress, crops to grow and moisture conditions are still ahead of their historical averages.
Provincial pasture and tame hay conditions rated good to excellent increased 2 per cent to 70 per cent, and 3 per cent to 68 per cent, respectively. All regional pasture ratings improved except for the North West Region which decreased 4 per cent to 73 per cent good to excellent but is still more than 25 per cent above both historical averages. Pastures across the province were reported to be improving after recent rains and are having cattle turned out on them soon. Tame hay growth conditions were reported to improve in all regions except the North West. As of May 28, tame hay conditions (last week’s rating) were rated 65 (58) per cent in the South Region, 85 (82) per cent in the Central Region, 64 (59) in the North East Region 76 (80) in the North West and 41 (40) in the Peace Region. All regional tame hay ratings, except the Peace, are currently rated above their historical averages.
To view the detailed report click here.