Glacier FarmMedia — Varied precipitation and warm temperatures were generally beneficial for crop development across Alberta during the week ended July 8, according to the latest provincial crop report released July 11.
Major crops were rated 65 per cent good to excellent provincially, which was up five points on the week and compares with the five-year average of 63 per cent.
The highest ratings were in the northwest part of the province, at 82 per cent good to excellent, while only 24 per cent of the Peace River region hit the good to excellent level.
Read Also
Grain Growers of Canada calls for clarity, transparency on AAFC research cuts
Grain Growers of Canada is calling for more clarity from the federal government following cutbacks to Agriculture and Agri-Food staff and research centres.
Crop development was wide ranging, although generally ahead of average, said the report.
Spring wheat was 66.3 per cent good to excellent, which was up five points from the previous week. Canola was at 63.7 per cent good to excellent and barley at 66.6 per cent, improving 5.6 and 3.3 points respectively.
Rainfall over the week helped maintain sub-surface moisture across the province, while surface moisture levels were more varied depending on the amount of rainfall received in each region. Provincially, surface soil moisture was 56 per cent good to excellent, which was below both the five-year and 10-year averages of 60 per cent.
Provincial subsurface moisture good to excellent ratings were reported as 47 per cent, which was below the five-year average of 54 per cent and the 10-year average of 56 per cent.
