Crop conditions rated good to excellent across Alberta are two per cent above the five-year average and have increased two per cent since last week, according to the latest provincial crop report.
In the central region, the percentage of major crop conditions rated good to excellent increased by about two percentage points to 78.5 per cent from June 18 to June 25. This is better than the region's five-year average of 77 per cent and 10-year average of 71.7 per cent.
The total percentage of crop conditions being rated good to excellent in all of Alberta's regions is 74.2 per cent, meaning the central region is ahead of the provincial average.
Provincially, major crops – spring wheat, barley and oats – are right on track with the provincial average at the early stages of stem elongation. Precipitation was variable over the week with the majority of it arriving in the form of thunderstorm activity.
Recent warm weather in the central region was good for crop development, but minimal rain and high winds caused many area to have declining moisture conditions, the Alberta Crop Report noted.
"Currently, surface soil (sub-surface soil) moisture is rated as 60 (29) per cent good to excellent" in the central region, the report said.
Surface soil moisture decreased provincially last week as temperatures warmed up and days were windy across much of Alberta, especially in the southern half of the province. While this was good for crop development, many areas could use more rain. Provincial surface soil moisture declined 10 per cent to 66 per cent good to excellent.
Additionally, recent frost in the central region hurt some canola plants but overall, there was minor damage. There have also been some reports of some flea beetle, cutworm and gopher damage.
Haying and silaging has started in the central region – some fields are a little behind normal condition, but most are average. Tame hay (five-year average) is rated 65 (66) per cent good to excellent.
On average, pasture and tame hay ratings across the province were strong due to growing season rains and recent warm weather. Pasture conditions mostly decreased around the province but by no more than 10 per cent and are still rated above their five- and 10-year average.