Heat stress during July has caused crops to mature ahead of historical averages for this week, being led by spring wheat and barley which are reported as in the early stages of dough development, and oats at the late stages of milk development.
Provincial crop condition ratings continue to decline slightly from the previous week by 3 per cent. Currently, 46 per cent of crops in Alberta are in good or excellent condition, compared to the 5-year average of 56 per cent.
Surface soil moisture rated as good to excellent in Alberta is 40 per cent, a weekly increase of 7 per cent. regionally,the highest increase was in the north west with a 26 per cent gain.
Sub-surface soil moisture also had a good week with good to excellent ratings reported as 30 per cent, which is a 3 per cent improvement from the previous week.
Pasture conditions have been deteriorating since the beginning of July with hot and dry conditions with a provincial good to excellent rating of 40 per cent, which is 2 per cent lower than last week.
Provincial tame hay also slightly suffered with 34 per cent rated good to excellent, slightly down from last week’s 36 per cent
Click here to see more...