Significant seeding progress in Alberta: AARD

(Resource News International) — Favourable weather conditions have allowed producers in much of Alberta to make significant seeding progress, according to a provincial crop specialist Wednesday.

Planting of the intended crops in the Peace River region of northern Alberta was complete, while those operations in the east and west-central regions of the province were roughly 33 per cent done, said Neil Whatley, a crop specialist with the Alberta Ag-Info Centre at Stettler.

“The wheels on the tractors are going like gangbusters,” Whatley said in explaining the fast pace of planting by producers.

Seeding operations in southern Alberta ranged from 10 per cent complete in wet areas to as much as 70 per cent done in the drier areas, he said.

Malting barley was one of the first crops seeded in Alberta, followed closely by pulses, canola and wheat, Whatley said.

Soil moisture conditions across much of Alberta were said to be adequate and have helped to germinate the various crops. Whatley said a number of the early-seeded crops have already emerged and were developing nicely.

“The exception to the rule is in the Peace River region and in the northeast area of Alberta where a good soaking rain is required immediately in order to avoid damage to the crops,” he said.

The crops located in the Peace River area had enough moisture to germinate, Whatley said, but are in dire need of precipitation to continue developing.

Hay and pasture conditions across much of the province were described as OK given the improved moisture situation, but livestock producers were expected to still run into shortages due to problems in previous years, he said.

Very few disease and insect problems have been reported so far in the crops in Alberta, Whatley said.

“We`re expecting some flea beetle issues to develop in canola in some areas of the province, but to date no serious threat has occurred,” he said.

Winter wheat crops in Alberta were in good shape, Whatley said.