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Seeding almost complete in central Alberta

Low moisture levels remain a concern across much of Alberta
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Crop seeding in central Alberta is almost complete.

The Alberta Crop Report released on Friday says of May 30 seeding was complete for corn, lentils, chickpeas, potatoes and flax and 99 per cent complete for spring wheat. Durum and barley were at 95 per cent, canola at just under 94 per cent and oats at about 91 per cent.

In total, 96 per cent of major crops have been seeded, up 13 per cent from a week earlier. That is slightly behind the five-year average of 98.6 per cent and the 10-year average of 97.4 per cent.

However, moisture remains a concern, says the report from Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation and Agricultural Financial Services Corporation.

“Growing conditions are dry and plants have started to show signs of stress,” says the report. “The limited rain received has been enough to keep crops alive in the Central Region, however soil moisture conditions decreased over the past week, as more precipitation is needed.”

Currently, 24 per cent of surface soil moisture reserves are rated poor, 42 per cent fair, 34 per cent good. None are rated excellent or excessive.

Sub-surface soil moisture is 32 per cent poor, 41 per cent fair, 27 per cent good and none excellent or excessive.

In the Central Region, emergence for major crops is at 75 per cent, nine per cent ahead of the five-year average and 10 per cent ahead of the 10-year average.

Spraying has begun in most areas around the region as flea beetles are becoming a potential threat and there has been some grasshopper damage in the southern part of the region as well.

Low moisture levels are a problem in much of the province.

“Surface soil moisture continues to decline across the province as provincial conditions fell 18 per cent to 65 per cent poor to fair

and 35 per cent good to excellent.”

The Peace is the only region that had surface soil moisture above 50 per cent rated good to excellent with 71 per cent good to excellent and 26 per cent poor to fair.

Overall, 60 per cent of the province’s tame hay is rated poor to fair and 40 per cent good to excellent. For pasture growth, 53 per cent is rated as poor to fair and 47 per cent good to excellent.



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