. Agri-news. Agriculture. GO CO CO CO CO CO GO May 18,1992 Spring soil moisture map dry Soil moisture levels were dry or extremely dry in nearly half of Alberta's agricultural area early this spring, and that provides a uncertain picture for crop prospects in southern and eastern Alberta. Conditions as surveyed to May 1, showed spring stubble soil moisture levels as low in 42 per cent of the province's agricultural area and very low in seven per cent. "Soils in the very low category generally have insufficient moisture for seed germination, while soils in the low category have enough mois
. Agri-news. Agriculture. GO CO CO CO CO CO GO May 18,1992 Spring soil moisture map dry Soil moisture levels were dry or extremely dry in nearly half of Alberta's agricultural area early this spring, and that provides a uncertain picture for crop prospects in southern and eastern Alberta. Conditions as surveyed to May 1, showed spring stubble soil moisture levels as low in 42 per cent of the province's agricultural area and very low in seven per cent. "Soils in the very low category generally have insufficient moisture for seed germination, while soils in the low category have enough moisture for germination, but can't sustain seedling growth without timely and adequate precipitation," says Al Howard, Alberta Agriculture soil moisture specialist. This means more annual cropland in eastern and southern Alberta faces a higher risk of crop failure this spring than for the last four springs. "Early May rains have improved conditions slightly in some areas of the northeast," he adds. The fall of 1991 was the second driest recorded since provincial moisture surveys began in 1982 he says. "Overwinter conditions were very warm and dry in the south and east, resulting in very little replenishment of soil moisture by ; The driest areas include: a zone from Bow Island to Vauxhall and north through Brooks to the Hands Hills, south of Drumheller and Hanna; a zone extending from Elk Point northwest to Lac La Biche; and, three smaller zones near Claresholm, Manyberries and Empress. Low soil moisture conditions extend from Canmore northeast across the province to Hardisty, then northwest to Fort Assiniboine. "This area of low moisture generally includes all of southern Alberta, a major portion of east central Alberta and all of northeastern Alberta," says Howard. "Although prospects don't look good in the south and east, the picture is considerably better in west central Alberta and the Peace," Howard adds. Most of west centr
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