Continued rain kept haying progress behind schedule in northeast Alberta, including the Lloydminster area, for the week ending Aug. 11.
Only 53 per cent of first-cut dryland hay is complete in the region, well behind the provincial rate of 88 per cent.
First-cut hay quality in the northeast is rated 35 per cent good to excellent, one of the lowest ratings in the province. Some producers are turning to silage as an alternative, according to the Alberta Crop Report published on alberta.ca.
Sub-surface soil moisture in the region remains high, rated 42 per cent excellent and 9 per cent excessive.
Major crop conditions in the northeast held nearly steady at 47.8 per cent good to excellent, up slightly from 46.7 per cent last week.
Provincewide, major crops rose 1 per cent this week to 59 per cent good to excellent. That figure is consistent with the 10-year average and above the five-year average of 48 per cent.
The South Region led the province at 78 per cent good to excellent, followed by Central at 70 per cent. Showers brought relief to the drier South Region while adding to already excessive moisture in the North West.
Provincial harvest sits at 1 per cent complete, slightly behind the five and 10-year averages of 3 and 2 per cent. Harvest is furthest along in the South Region, where combining has begun.
Winter wheat is 38 per cent combined provincewide and fall rye is 43 per cent combined.
Pest pressure remains localized. Gophers are over threshold in the Central Region at 11 per cent moderate, and diamondback moths are affecting 10 per cent of acres in the South Region.
Provincial dryland yield estimates remain stable, with major crops expected to come in 20 per cent above the five-year average.
Producers with crop or livestock questions can reach Alberta’s Agriculture and Irrigation Statistics and Data Development Section by email at TEDA-Branch@gov.ab.ca.
Read more: NE Alberta crops still slowed by the rain
