Early Alberta Crop Conditions Well Below Last Year, Average

It is still early, and improvement may be on the way, but Alberta crop conditions are starting out well below last year and the five- and 10-year averages. 

Friday’s crop report pegged overall crop conditions in the province at just 50% good to excellent as of Tuesday. That compares to 73% good to excellent last year, and the five- and 10-year averages of 71% and 70%, respectively. 

This year’s worst initial crop condition rating belongs to canola at only 45% good to excellent, 20 points below last year. The spring wheat, barley, and oat crops were all rated 51% good to excellent as of Tuesday, compared to 76%, 76%, and 72% a year ago. The condition of the durum crop was 20 points lower at 56% good to excellent. 

At 52% good to excellent, the pea crop was down from 77% last year, while lentils were 21 points lower at 62%. Chickpeas and mustard were rated 55% and 67% good to excellent, versus 74% and 79% last year and the flax crop was down 24 points at 60%. 

The report said recent rainfall has brought some relief to the Central and North East regions, but dryland crops and pastures in the South Region remain under stress due to ongoing dry conditions. However, with continued precipitation this week, “conditions are expected to improve in the coming weeks,” it added.