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Canola crop near Fairview on June 9, 2024. Photo by Erika Rolling
By Erika Rolling
Crop Report

Seeding virtually complete in Peace Region

Jun 10, 2024 | 12:30 PM

According to the latest crop report on June 7, from AFSC and the Alberta government; 98 per cent of crops in the Peace Region are seeded.

Seeding progress

Seeding has been delayed in a few areas province-wide due to recent widespread rain.

Progress of all crops provincially sit at 97 per cent complete, which is in line with historical averages. The notable exception is the Peace at 98 per cent completion; well ahead of the five-year average of 88 per cent and ten-year average of 89 per cent.

The emergence of all crops is estimated at 67 per cent, with the five-year average and ten-year average both at 66 per cent. Crop emergence in the Peace is at 63 per cent.

Total seeding progress in the Peace is as follows:

  • Spring Wheat – 99.7%
  • Barley – 93.1%
  • Oats – 92.9%
  • Canola – 98.4%
  • Dry Peas – 99.3%

AFSC says there are no pests currently identified in northwestern Alberta over the threshold, with only limited pressure from flea beetles and cutworms.

Pasture conditions

Tame hay and pasture conditions have improved across Alberta thanks to precipitation, and reports of cattle turned onto pasture have been in the areas of central, north west, and the north east regions.

Conditions of tame hay are being reported at 15 per cent poor, 41 per cent fair, 43 per cent good and 1 per cent excellent in the northwestern half of Alberta.

Pasture growth conditions are not as good in the Peace compared to the remainder of the province. The Peace sits at 13.2 per cent poor, 42.3 per cent fair, 43,2 per cent good and 1.3 per cent excellent. Whereas Alberta as a whole sits at 3.4 per cent poor, 23,7 per cent fair, 65,9 per cent good, and 7 per cent excellent.

Soil moisture

Surface and sub-surface soil moisture is relatively stable across Alberta, at 2 per cent poor, 21.6 per cent fair, 58 per cent good 16.9 per cent excellent, and only 1.5 per cent excessive.

In the Peace Region, the ratings for surface soil moisture is at 4.1 per cent poor, 25.6 per cent fair, 49.4 per cent good, 20 per cent excellent, and only 0.9 per cent excessive.

Sub-surface soil moisture for the Peace is reported at 2 per cent poor, 15 per cent fair, 66 per cent good, 17 per cent excellent, and 0 per cent excessive.

The next crop report will come out on June 18 from AGI.

by Erika Rolling