Crop conditions in the Lloydminster area fell again last week as excess water kept slowing development.
The North East region, which includes Vermilion, Camrose and Provost, is rated 50.4 per cent good to excellent as of July 7. That is down from 54.5 per cent the week before, according to the latest Alberta crop report.
Excess water continues to slow crop progress and limit spraying opportunities in the region.
Spring wheat in the North East is in the early booting stage, while barley and oats are in the later stages of stem elongation.
Sub-surface soil moisture in the region is rated 53 per cent excellent and 29 per cent good, with 11 per cent rated excessive.
Provincewide, 64 per cent of major crops are rated good to excellent, close to the long-term trend. That is three per cent above the five-year average and five per cent below the 10-year average.
The South region leads the province at 85 per cent, followed by Central at 81 per cent and Peace at 58 per cent. The North West region posted the lowest rating at 29 per cent, well below its five and 10 year averages.
Provincial cereal crops remain behind typical staging for this time of year. Spring wheat and barley are averaging mid-booting stage provincewide, while the five-year average has spring wheat already in early heading.
Moisture reserves remain well above the seasonal average across most of the province, with all regions reporting some excess water. Provincial surface soil moisture is rated 80 per cent good to excellent, above both the five and 10 year averages.
Warmer temperatures have sped up development where they have occurred, but slow warming in other areas continues to limit the pace of crop advancement, according to the report.
Producers with questions can reach Agriculture Financial Services Corporation’s Product Innovation Department by email at mediainquiry@afsc.ca.
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