Alberta Fields Face Heat and Drought

Alberta Crop Ratings Rise in Central

According to the latest AFSC and Alberta Government Crop Reporting Survey, Central and South regions of ALberta have benefitted from timely rain, while northern areas like North East, North West, and Peace are battling heat stress and dry conditions. 

Provincially, 66 per cent of crops are rated in good to excellent condition, up from 61 per cent two weeks ago.  

The Central Region shows the strongest improvement at 87 per cent, while the South remains stable at 61 per cent. Peace Region lags at 28 per cent, well below the 5- and 10-year averages. 

Spring cereals are advancing ahead of average, especially in Peace where they have reached early milk stage. Broadleaf crops show 74 per cent flowering and 20 per cent podding. 

Surface soil moisture rated good to excellent sits at 53 per cent provincially, down from 56 per cent last week. Sub-surface moisture holds at 47 per cent, with Central leading at 70 per cent and Peace at 37 per cent. North East and North West show declining moisture, raising yield concerns. 

Pasture conditions have slightly improved, now rated 48 per cent good to excellent across Alberta. However, northern pastures remain stressed due to heat and dryness. 

Hay harvest is ahead of seasonal averages, with 66 per cent of the first dryland cut completed. Yields average 1.2 tons per acre, slightly below historical norms. Central leads in hay quality, while North East and Peace trail behind. 

Pest pressures, especially gophers and grasshoppers, are a concern in parts of the North West and South. Gopher activity is above threshold in some fields. 

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