Almost all crops cultivated in the country areconfined to the southern parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Becausespring crops (spring wheat, maize, soybeans) are sowed in April or May, maximumVCI, NDVI, and biomass have little meaning for this reporting period. Incomparison with the recent thirteen-year average for the same period, rainfallincreased 2%, temperature was below average (-2.2℃) and PAR was slightlybelow average as well. Abundant rainfall and low temperature (which reducesevaporation) increased the water content of soil, creating favorable wetconditions for the coming crop sowing and growing season. The NDVI profileindicates a condition similar to previous years.

Figure 3.9. Canada crop condition, Jan-Apr 2014

            (a) Crop condition development graph based onNDVI                (b) Maximum VCI

(c) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                                           (d) NDVI Profile