Seeding basically complete as regional farmers pray for as much rain as they can possibly get
By Medicine Hat News on June 1, 2019.
Recent rain and hot weather have boosted crop conditions in southern Alberta, but more water is needed, according to the most recent Alberta crop report. At May 29, all major crop seedling in the region was virtually complete and generally ahead of schedule of a typical year, though some livestock producers across the province are extending winter feeding or supplementing to account for slow pasture development. Specific to region 1, covering Medicine Hat, Foremost, Strathmore and Lethbridge, about half of pasture land is rated good or excellent, and 70 per cent of fall-seeded crops are considered in good condition. Most cereals are at the five-leaf stage. Similarly, crop monitors in southwest Saskatchewan say seeding is near-complete, but significant moisture is needed soon to encourage growth on cropland and to get pastures established. That province’s crop report states about one-third of major crops have emerged, which is considered behind, though planting is set to finish just ahead of the five-year-average. About 70 per cent of land is considered short or very short of moisture, while pasture conditions are said to be 41 per cent fair, 29 per cent poor and 10 per cent very poor. 7-6
