Cattle graze on a small pasture near Dunmore on Friday afternoon. Pastures and tame hay land is developing faster than last year in southern Alberta thanks to rainfall in May, according to the Alberta Crop report released Friday.--News Photo Collin Gallant
@MedicineHatNews
Showers in southern Alberta are delaying seeding, and causing water to pool in some portions of the southwest, but 84 per cent of acres are completed across the region, according to Alberta Agriculture’s weekly crop report.
Only canola, at 66 per cent, falls below four-fifths complete for major crops, with dry peas virtually complete in the Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Strathmore and Foremost regions.
At this time of year, crops are typically 95 per cent seeded, but emergence is slightly ahead of average.
With rain delays, soil moisture conditions are improved following a dry 2023 growing season.
Across the south, all crop acres are rated fair or above condition with 64 per cent in “good” shape for water and 7 per cent excellent.
Cattle will be turned out soon on pasture that’s developed due to rain and tame hay is rated above historic average.
Heat is now needed, and some producers in the southeast report spraying and reseeding is needed due to flea beetles and cutworms.
Seeding in southwest Saskatchewan is 83 per cent complete, but furthest advanced nearest to the Alberta boundary, including Fox Valley, Leader, Cabri and areas north of Swift Current.
That province reports that more than 90 per cent for canola and durum wheat are in the ground, 88 per cent for barley and 86 per cent for spring wheat.
Topsoil conditions also continue to hold at 90 per cent adequate after some areas, including Shaunavon, received 36 mm of rain last week.
Hay land shows similar conditions but with 12 per cent short.
Crop emergence is rated as good to excellent at May 27, with only minor frost and wind damage.
