A pair of spring calves - along with a concerned mother (right) - graze in a field south of Medicine Hat in this may 2025 file photo.--News File Photo
@MedicineHatNews
Widespread rain in Alberta improved growing conditions across the province this week, including in the south, though crop and pasture conditions remain below long-term averages, according to the latest Alberta Crop Report.
Agriculture Alberta states that 55 per cent of major crops are rated good to excellent in the Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Strathmore and Foremost regions, whereas 66 per cent is typical.
Rain of up to two inches around the southeast also helped green up pasture and hayland, though at one-third better than fair, they trail historical averages.
Surface moisture in the south improved from just 25 per cent of acres rated good or excellent on June 17, to 69 per cent on June 23.
Similarly, subsurface moisture is now at higher levels in 48 per cent of the region, about double the amount one week earlier.
Across the province, major crop conditions improved after a dry spring led some crops to bolt.
“Provincially, most spring wheat, barley and oat crops are progressing through early to mid-stem elongation,” the report notes. “Notably, ahead are the spring wheat and barley in the South and Central regions, which are in the booting stage.”
In southwest Saskatchewan, rain was heaviest to the north, while Leader and Kyle each recorded two inches.
That improved topsoil moisture to about 50 per cent adequate across the region, hay and pasture to about 40 per cent adequate, though one quarter of acres are considered very short.
Rain also brought crop development to more normal numbers, though between 12 and 20 per cent of observed crops are ahead of typical schedule.
A survey of cattle producers shows one quarter are experiencing a modest shortage, while one half anticipate shortages by Labour Day.
