As in Saskatchewan, Alberta crop condition ratings are ticking higher with the recent arrival of moisture.
The latest weekly provincial crop report on Friday pegged the overall condition of all Alberta crops at about 70% good to excellent as of Tuesday, up from 63.4% two weeks earlier and slightly above the five- and 10-year averages of 68% and 69%, respectively. Meanwhile, the condition of major crops in the province (spring wheat, barley, oats, canola and dry peas) came in at around 73% good to excellent as of Tuesday, compared to 71% a week earlier.
Crop conditions in the North West region are the best in the province, rated at 88% good to excellent as of Tuesday, a big jump from 71.1% two weeks earlier. At 82% good to excellent, crop conditions in the North East climbed from 72% two weeks ago, while the Central Region was up to 80% from 71%. Crop conditions in the Peace and South regions were little changed from two weeks ago at 52% and 54%, respectively.
In terms of individual crops, the barley crop had the best rating as of Tuesday at 75% good to excellent, followed by oats at 74%, spring wheat at 73% and canola at 71%. The dry pea crop was rated at about 70% good to excellent, flax at 69% with lentils and mustard both around 30% and chickpeas at just 27%.
For the most part, recent moisture has improved crop growth and potential, the report said. However, many dry areas could use more rain, while some crops in the wetter portions of the province, including the southern part of the Peace region, most of the North West, portions of the North East as well as the western part of the Central Region, are showing signs of yellowing and a build-up of moisture.
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