News
Seeding/Planting
Crop development below average for the Prairies
June 5, 2019 By Crop Condition Assessment Program
As of May 26, 2019, crop development was much lower to lower than the average (as observed from 1987 to 2018) for most parts of Canada, according to the Crop Condition Assessment Program from Statistics Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Although seeding has progressed normally in the Prairies with dry soil conditions, excess moisture from Eastern Ontario to Nova Scotia has limited planting operations. In addition, a lack of soil moisture across the Prairies and British Columbia remains a concern for the normal development of planted crops.
Crop development for most of the Prairies is much lower to lower than normal
Crop development was much lower to lower than normal for all three Prairie provinces, including the region of Peace River. Dry conditions in the last few weeks preceding May 26 allowed seeding to take place normally, however the low moisture content of the topsoil is a concern and more rain is needed for normal crop growth.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada reported that in the previous two months, most regions of the Prairies had received 40% to 60% of the average rainfall for that period. In the last month, temperatures were one to four degrees below average.
Crop conditions in Central and Atlantic Canada are much lower than normal
Most regions from Eastern Ontario to Nova Scotia show growing conditions to be much lower than normal. Spring weather conditions were generally wet, often with 50 per cent in excess of normal precipitations. As well, average temperatures were below normal by one to four degrees. Current soil conditions, often saturated in water, will delay planting, so dryer and warmer conditions are needed in the near future.
Below normal crop development in British Columbia
In contrast with the rest of the country, British Columbia had warmer than normal temperatures for the beginning of the growing season, by about one degree. At the same time, precipitation over the previous two months has registered at 75 per cent of the average rate. As with the Prairies, increased precipitation is required for the next few weeks for normal crop development. Current growing conditions are generally lower than normal.
