News Seeding/Planting
Alberta seeding progress ahead of five-year average

Warm, dry weather across Alberta has allowed for substantial seeding progress provincially, according to the latest crop report from Alberta Agriculture.

As of May 14, 2019, the average percentage seeded was 42.5 per cent, which is significantly higher than the provincial five-year average for this time which is 25 per cent. The first week of May was also ahead of the average with 16 per cent seeding complete as of May 7, 2019, ahead of the five-year average of 11 per cent. This time last year in 2018, only eight per cent of Alberta crops were seeded by mid-May. Alberta Agriculture says that at this rate, the seeding of major crops should be more or less wrapped up by the first of June.

Across Alberta, 72 per cent of peas are in the ground, 52 per cent of spring wheat, 40 per cent of barley, 28 per cent of canola and 19 per cent of oats. Crop emergence for major crops is in the early stages and the average is at five per cent for the province. The south region’s crop emergence is the exception at 19 per cent. The warm, dry weather has advanced seeding and emergence progress. In addition, fall seeded crops are rated 71 per cent good or excellent.

In terms of surface soil moisture, Alberta Agriculture reports that the provincially “good” and “excellent” rating estimates fell six points, and the amount of “fair” and “poor” ratings increased as a result. Since the beginning of April, the western portion of the province accumulated higher amounts of precipitation while the Eastern and Peace regions are still looking for good general rain.

Prior to the surprise spring snow and rain across the province, the over winter precipitation was lower-than-normal in most regions. However, late snow and rain brought the snow pack accumulations near normal and above normal for regions in the west side of province.

The full Alberta Agriculture Crop Report, including regional breakdowns, can be found online.