Canada: CMBTC provides latest update on Canada’s barley plantings

Canadian Prairies are experiencing above normal temperatures this week with below normal precipitation. Parts of Saskatchewan are seeing temperatures in the high 20°s and low 30°s this week, CMBTC said in its latest update on the nation’s barley crops on May 30.

Weather analysts suggest that Western Canada will have below average rainfall this summer, although drought-like conditions are not expected. They are also predicting lower than normal summer temperatures for Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

The area of most concern is the region from Edmonton east into the upper section of Saskatchewan, going through North Battleford, Saskatoon, Humboldt, Melfort and Tisdale. One constant throughout the Prairies is that emergence has been slow due to the cooler temperatures that have plagued the west through the month of May.


Alberta

• Southern region (Foremost, Lethbridge, Strathmore): This area has had good rains in the last week and this has helped advance its crops. The area received between 12.5 mm-25 mm (1/2-1 inch) of precipitation.

• Central region (Airdrie, Olds): Barley seeding is complete in this area. To date the crop is germinating well, however the region will need rain in the next two weeks. Crop conditions at this time are ranked 80%, good to excellent.

• Northeast region (Vermillion, Camrose. Provost): Barley seeding is 75% completed and the area remains mostly dry. Strong dry winds have been eroding any soil moisture and the area is in need of rain in the next 10 days. Cold overnight temperatures have also slowed down germination. Warmer temperatures are forecast for this week.

• Northwest region (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc): Seeding is definitely progressing well, however dry conditions and strong winds have eroded moisture and rain is required to promote germination and crop growth.


Saskatchewan

Seeding should be nearly completed in all the regions. There was sporadic rainfall throughout the province this past week, and the lack of moisture and strong winds have deteriorated the topsoil moisture in most regions. Significant rainfall will be needed in the next few weeks to promote better crop emergence.

• Northwest region (North Battleford, Lloydminster): Farmers have wrapped up seeding in the area, although it has had limited rainfall (ranging from nil-15 mm). More rain is needed to prompt emergence and crop growth.

• Northeast region (Price Albert, Tisdale, Melfort, Humboldt): Rainfall varied in the area from a trace to 17 mm. With the exception of Hudson Bay, which has received 44 mm of rain, the region is dry and rain is needed in the next week to 10 days to promote crop growth.

• West-central region (Saskatoon, Rosetown, Biggar): Rain amounts have varied from nil-25 mm. Saskatoon has some good rains this past weekend. Strong winds are wreaking havoc on soil moisture and this region will require significant rains to move the crops along.

• East-central region (Melville, Yorkton, Watrous, Clavet): Seeding is complete, however, this region has not had any rainfall and is in need of some moisture sooner than later. Crop emergence has been slow due to a lack of moisture and cold temperatures.

• Southwest region (Swift Current, Maple Creek): There has barely been a trace of moisture recorded in the area this month. Crop emergence has been slow due to the lack of moisture and cooler temperatures.

• Southeast region (Weyburn, Estevan, Radville): This is another region that is moisture deficit, similar to last year. It will require significant rains in the next few weeks to move the crop forward.

Manitoba

Barley seeding is virtually complete. There were variable showers this past week in all regions of the province. Temperatures were below normal, especially at night time when the thermostat dipped below zero a few nights. Although the frost damage was minimal, this cold weather is affecting the germination and emergence of the crops. Warmer temperatures are forecast to move into the province this week.

• Southwest region (Brandon, Russell): Seeding is complete and the area had rains over the weekend ranging from a trace in the Russell area to 25mm-40 mm south of the No. 1 Highway, in the Brandon region. Some of the barley is in the 2-3 leaf stage.

• Northwest region (Dauphin): Seeding is complete. The thermostat dipped below zero this past weekend and the damage is still being assessed. This region has very little moisture to date and will need rain to move the crops forward.

• Central region (Portage La Prairie, Treherne): Cool dry weather has been the norm in this area. Warmer temperatures are forecast for this week. The region benefitted from rains of 25mm-40 mm this past week.

• East region (Winnipeg, Carman): This region received some good rains over the weekend, ranging from 10mm-30 mm. The temperatures have been an issue as both the daytime and overnight temperatures have been well below seasonal averages and this has hindered crop emergence.

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