Province forecasts only 19.7 per cent of Alberta crops are in 'good' to 'excellent' condition
The latest spell of warm weather in Alberta continues to deteriorate agricultural conditions in the province as the latest crop report forecasts only 19.7 per cent of crops in good to excellent condition.
Released on Tuesday, the province’s crop report painted a bleak picture for agricultural producers in Alberta as warm weather coupled with a lack of precipitation continues to damage annual and perennial harvests.
The crop rating represents a 17 point drop in the last two weeks and is more than 50 points below the five and ten year average scores, the province said.
“The forecasted high temperatures for the upcoming week are expected to impact these ratings further,” the report said.
According to the provincial crop report, the central region – encompassing areas around Coronation, Oyen, Rimbey, and Airdrie – experienced the most significant crop reductions.
- Official drought or not, Alberta farmers experiencing toughest summer in years
- 'We need rain': Alberta farmers hopeful for precipitation to save crops
- 'The crops just stopped growing': Southern Alberta farmers say this could be worst season in 20 years
Of the crops that are able to be harvested, reported yields are “well below normal,” the crop forecast said. First-cut hay has a five-year average of 1.5 tons per acre. This year yields are around one ton per acre.
More than half of all pasture acres are rated as poor, the province said.
Last year the provincial government’s crop forecast rated 77.5 per cent of all crops as in good to excellent condition at the end of July.
Some of the hardest hit crops, as compared to last year, include chickpeas, dry peas, spring wheat, and durum wheat.
Several counties and municipal districts across the province have already declared agricultural disasters, with some saying this year’s stunted growing season and deteriorated soil conditions creating future impacts.
- 'Devastating blow': Northwest Alberta municipal district declares agricultural disaster
- Alta. county that flooded 2 years ago now declaring ag emergency over drought-like conditions
The province releases crop reporting bi-weekly during July and August.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
How to overcome 'savings guilt' when you're living paycheque to paycheque
As the higher cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets, many Canadians find they have even less left over at the end of every month to squirrel away for the future.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.