Canada & USA: Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre provides update on Canada and US barley crop

The outlook for the Western Canadian barley crop varies from province to province, and while the rains have been erratic they have been sufficient to sustain the majority of the crops. Some areas are prospering while others are not. Germination is uneven, a result of seeding having been spread out this year, and hit and miss rains, the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre reported on June 27.

But overall the crop is looking good for the end of June. A combination of decent rainfall through the provinces and warm temperatures has helped advance crop development. Hot temperatures were the norm this past week, with most areas posting average temperatures registering 7°C over normal June temperatures.

Alberta

Conditions improved over the past week with most regions in the province benefitting from some rain events. Overall the barley crop is rated at 80% (good to excellent) which is above the 5 year average of 73% at this time of year.

• South: Calgary/Lethbridge - Variable rainfall is the norm for this area, ranging from 10 to 30mm (2/5 to over 1 inch) with the higher rainfall occurring closer to Calgary. Overall the crops are looking good, but they will require some more rain late next week. The current forecast calls for additional rains this coming Friday and Saturday.

• Central: Lacombe - This area received 25 mm (1 inch) of rain in the past week and conditions are very good. The rains benefitted the entire region and the crops continue to progress well. A few more beneficial rains in July would assure this area of another good crop, similar to last year.

• North: Vegreville - The recent rains continue to improve the soil moisture in this region. The combination of the rains and warm temperatures has been very favorable to crop development. The barley crop is rated at 90% (good to excellent).

Saskatchewan

There were a few rain events last week and more are forecast for this week. Temperatures will be a little more moderate this week, which will not stress the crops as much as this past week when the temperatures surpassed the 30°C on most days.

• East Central: Melfort - There were minimal rains this past week. However, the top soil moisture is still rated over 85%. Crops are doing well.

• North East: Tisdale/Yorkton - Crops are prospering in this area. The warm weather will help move the crops forward.

• North West: Saskatoon/Lloydminister - This area was dry this week. However, the soil moisture rating is still above 80%. There are some showers forecast for later in the week.

• South West: Swift Current - Crops are limping along. This region remains the driest part of the province and rains are variable and elusive. Topsoil moisture is less than adequate. Rain is needed soon to prevent further damage to the crops.

• South East: Weyburn - Crops showed a noticeable improvement from the prior week due to decent rains and warm temperatures.

• West Central: Saskatoon – There has been variable rain fall. Some areas are getting rain and some are being missed. Further rains are required within the next ten days to maintain the crop development.

Manitoba

Sporadic rains fell in this region. Some fields received rain while others did not. Some of the crop is beginning to be stressed and will require rain in the next 10 days.

• South West: Brandon - Crops are advancing quickly. This region has benefitted from decent moisture and warm temperatures, which is quickly advancing the crop.

• North West: Dauphin - This region also benefitted from good rains and warm temperatures. The crop has advanced quickly in this region. Heavy rains hit this area last night, but there was no report of hail. The added rain will not hurt the crop.

• Eastern: Winnipeg south - The Red River Valley received spotty rains, with about 50% of the region getting rain of up to 35 mm (over 1 1/4 inches) and the other 50% getting less than 10mm to none. This past Friday, 30 mm (1 1/4 inch) of rain fell in less than one hour, but unfortunately most of this rain was concentrated in a narrow band only covering a small portion of eastern Manitoba.

• South East: Melita - The crops showed good growth with good rains and heat this past week. This area could use a little more rain.
United States (U.S.)


USA

North Dakota

The crop is short in stature, but progressing nicely. Heading is starting in the early seeded crop and the cool temperatures of the last week combined with the rains were beneficial to crop development. A strong system is forecast to come through the state this weekend with the potential of 25 to 50 mm (1 to 2 inches) of rainfall.

Idaho

In general the crop is looking very good. The past month has seen a few heavy rain storms, hail on a number of occasions and the odd frost, but despite these events the barley crop is advancing well. Due to the crop being seeded over a long period of time, every stage of crop development is occurring from heading to tillering. This is an unusual year for this state, it will be a drawn out harvest.

Montana

The crop is looking good overall as the state has received significant moisture in the last week. The crop development is uneven, as seeding was so spread out. A little disease has touched the crop, however no significant damage has been done to the barley. A severe storm came through part of the state last night, with high winds that tipped over a few pivots (these are used for irrigation purposes) and also some hail. There is no report on the extent of the damage caused by the storm.

U.S. barley conditions didn’t change much this past week overall, but 6% moved from “good” to “excellent” and 1% from “good” to “poor.”

28 June, 2018