MarketsFarm — Rains across southern and central regions of Alberta were both much-needed and well-received during the week ended Tuesday.
Both regions received 20 to 50 millimetres of precipitation, according to the province’s weekly crop report released Friday. The amount of rain that fell onto the south region was equivalent to the amount of precipitation received during the entire growing season up to that point. Lethbridge has had 30 to 40 mm so far this growing season with 20 to 30 mm falling during that week. Calgary also saw 30 to 40 mm fall, while Medicine Hat received 40 to 50 mm.
Read Also
Alberta crop conditions improve: report
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.
The rains were also very timely as most regions in Alberta had already completed seeding. As of Tuesday, the central and northeastern regions had completing their plantings with the south at 99.6 per cent and the northwest at 99.1 per cent. The waterlogged Peace region, which had only completed 36 per cent of seeding two weeks earlier, used the favourable weather conditions to its advantage, all the way to 93.9 per cent of acres seeded.
Alberta is 98.9 per cent seeded, slightly above the five-year average of 98 per cent and the 10-year average of 98.2 per cent. With the exception of the Peace region, all other regions are roughly in line or exceeding near-term historical averages.
Despite the rains, soil moisture ratings are still below the five- and 10-year averages in most of Alberta with 59.1 per cent rated as good-to-excellent so far. The five-year average is 70.2 per cent, while the 10-year average is 69.7 per cent.
The Peace region saw a province-best 92.5 per cent of its acres in the good-to-excellent soil moisture category, followed by the Central region at 70.2 per cent and the North West at 58.3 per cent. The northeastern and south regions were at 46.2 and 46.1 per cent, respectively.
Pasture and tame hay conditions were relatively unchanged as potential growth due to the recent rains was also limited by below-normal temperatures. Pastures across Alberta were rated at 35 per cent good-to-excellent, while tame hay was rated at 46 per cent.
For more content related to drought management visit The Dry Times, where you can find a collection of stories from our family of publications as well as links to external resources to support your decisions through these difficult times.
