Alberta Agriculture and Forestry has issued its latest crop report with conditions to July 19. This is an abbreviated version; click here for the full report and tables by region. With significant rains across the province, particularly in the South and Central Regions over the past two weeks, most of the agricultural lands in Alberta […] Read more
Most Alberta crops in good to excellent condition
Salvaging hail-damaged crops
Storm damage to crops can result in problems with nitrate accumulations, especially if the crops were heavily fertilized or manured in the spring to optimize yield. “With volatile weather comes storm damage and, for some producers, this means salvaging crops for feed,” says Andrea Hanson, beef extension specialist, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Airdrie. Hanson cautions […] Read more
Anthrax detected in northern Alberta
Two cases confirmed from two separate beef cattle farms in the Fort Vermillion area
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry has been notified of confirmed cases of anthrax in two separate beef cattle farms in the Fort Vermillion area. Given these findings and recently confirmed cases in Saskatchewan, producers are reminded to be on the look-out for anthrax. The recent hot, dry weather has led to conditions that are favourable for […] Read more
Alberta Crop Report
Crop conditions as of July 21, 2015
Over the past week most of the province received upwards of 20 mm of rain, which helped dry areas and somewhat alleviated moisture stress on cereals and oilseeds crops. Localized areas around Calgary, Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House, Valleyview/High Prairie and Smoky Lake received over 50 mm of precipitation. Scattered hail storms were reported in […] Read more
Winter wheat stripe rust update
So far in the month of June, 19 winter wheat fields have been surveyed in the counties of Lethbridge, Taber, Warner and Cardston. Eight fields surveyed in the County of Lethbridge had no signs of stripe rust. Of the six fields surveyed in the County of Warner, three fields had trace incidence of stripe rust […] Read more
Wheat head armyworms appear in Alberta
In his final regular weekly Call of the Land interview, Alberta Agriculture pest management specialist Scott Meers says there have been some reports of wheat head armyworms, with one “pretty major hotspot” in Wheatland County and into Kneehill County, with some reports from the Peace. Meers says the insect is difficult to spot as it is […] Read more
Check the bertha map, and if it looks like an alligator, leave it
In his weekly Call of the Land interview, Alberta Agriculture pest specialist Scott Meers says there is a high risk of bertha armyworm infestation in the Lacombe/Stettler area and moderate risk elsewhere. He suggests checking the bertha trap map and zooming in to check the risk in your area. Meers says there are some reports of wheat […] Read more
Stripe rust survey update for southern Alberta
This week, Dr. Denis Gaudet and his crew at AAFC-Lethbridge surveyed 23 spring wheat fields from Cardston to Vulcan for stripe rust. Stripe rust was seen in 50 per cent of the fields with the average incidence ranging from trace to 5 per cent. In three fields, incidences ranged from 15-90 per cent but severities […] Read more
“Exceptional” crop ratings in Alberta
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development has released its biweekly crop report for July 24. The provincial summary follows. The full report is available alongside. Alberta has seen the return to more seasonal temperatures over the past several weeks following the hot weather experienced two weeks ago. Sporadic light and heavy showers were reported in all […] Read more
Beware of baling hay too early in hot weather
An Alberta Agriculture beef specialist warns that hay needs to be completely cured before being baled. Recent high temperatures, resulting in quick drying conditions, have some producers heading out to bale within two to four days after cutting. If hay isn’t completely cured, there could be damage to the hay after being baled. “Moisture probes […] Read more
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