MarketsFarm — Crop development is running behind average across much of Canada, with excessive moisture delaying seeding in Ontario and dryness slowing crop development across the Prairies.
That’s according to the latest satellite data from the federal Crop Condition Assessment Program (CCAP), created in partnership between Statistics Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Crop development was much lower than normal across all three Prairie provinces.
“Dry conditions in the last few weeks preceding May 26 allowed seeding to take place normally, however the low moisture content of the topsoil is a concern and more rain is needed for normal crop growth,” Statistics Canada reported.
Rainfall across the Prairies was 40 to 60 per cent below normal in the previous two months, according to AAFC.
Meanwhile, spring precipitation in eastern Ontario and Nova Scotia was as much as 50 per cent above normal, according to the report. The conditions were delaying planting, and warmer and drier weather will be needed.
Detailed interactive maps are updated on a weekly basis by the CCAP and are available online.
