Crop conditions in northeast Alberta, including the Lloydminster area, held steady at 47 per cent good to excellent for the week ending Aug. 4.
The region is now tracking closely with its five-year average of 47 per cent, a change from recent weeks when conditions sat well below that mark.
Spring wheat, barley and oats in the region are mainly in the early stages of milk development, according to the Alberta Crop Report published on alberta.ca.
Sub-surface moisture in the northeast remains high, rated 40 per cent excellent and 13 per cent excessive. Tame hay conditions are rated 23 per cent excellent and 33 per cent good, with no acres reported poor.
Provincewide, the good-to-excellent rating for major crops dropped to 58 per cent, down from 60 per cent last week. The figure still exceeds the five-year average of 43 per cent and sits close to the 10-year average of 54 per cent.
Moisture conditions remain sharply divided across the province. The Central and South regions continue to dry out, while the North West, North East and Peace regions deal with excess moisture and ongoing rain.
The North West Region remains the only one below its five-year average, sitting 3 per cent lower. The South, Central and Peace regions are all performing well above their historical benchmarks.
Producers are advancing haying activities where conditions allow. First-cut harvest is nearing completion in the South, Central and Peace regions, with progress continuing in the North East and North West when weather permits.
Provincial pasture conditions are rated 55 per cent good to excellent, above both the five and 10-year averages. Tame hay dropped 12 points from last week to 57 per cent good to excellent provincewide, though it remains above historical norms.
Producers with crop or livestock questions can reach AFSC’s Product Innovation Department by email at mediainquiry@afsc.ca.
Read more: NE Alberta crops still slowed by the rain
