As the latest crop report from Alberta agriculture pointed out, seeding is virtually complete, with the exception of a few acres in the Peace region. There were very few weather interruptions over the past number of weeks, allowing farmers to finish seeding quickly. As far as emergence, almost all crops are ahead of 5 and 10 year averages. Provincially, 83 percent of newly planted crops have emerged. That’s 17 points above the five year average of 66 percent for this time of year.
The lack of moisture is becoming a real concern in many areas. The five day forecast is calling for showers beginning Wednesday night and continuing through the weekend with daytime highs in the mid teens.
As for pest pressures, the latest report says Flea beetles, cutworms and Lygus bugs are impacting crops in many southern and central fields…and gophers are showing up too. Longtime crops specialist Harry Brook says because of the dry conditions, farmers should be scouting their fields for signs of grasshoppers.
-With files from Dean Thorpe-
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