The results of the latest crop report from Alberta agriculture should really come as no surprise to many producers.
Essentially, the rain,.excessive in places, is starting to impact the quality of crops in many regions. Many fields, especially in central areas of the province are dotted with ponds of standing water where nothing is growing. Even crops where there isn't standing water are showing signs of stress, including barley, canola and pulse crops. Despite the drop in quality, the latest report says growing conditions are listed at 78 percent good to excellent. The five year average at this point in the crop year is around 64 percent. The excessive rain also means fields are muddy and many farmers are struggling to get their spraying done. Many have turned to aerial spraying this year. Even haying operations are being held back by the rain, with only about 20 percent of dryland and five percent of irrigated haying now completed. That's compared to the five year averages of 45 and 42 percent respectively.
In our area, crop development is on par with the 5 year average. About 85% of canola, 76% of dry peas, and 42% of lentils are now in flower. Pasture conditions are looking good for ranchers in our area with 75% saying the land is good and 16% saying conditions are excellent.
The latest crop report was issued on July 14th.
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