In general, crops inCanada “looked” better than the recent five-year average during the currentmonitoring period. This is the key growing season for (limited) winter cropsand the preparation of sowing for the summer crops season. The agroclimaticvariables include below average rainfall (RAIN, -9 percent), a significantpositive anomaly of temperature (TEMP, +2.7°C), while radiation was below average(RADPAR, -2 percent).

This was a rather “warm”season and abnormal temperaturewas monitored in Alberta (+4.2°C), Saskatchewan (+3.9°C), and Manitoba (+2.9°C).Below average rainfall continued from last year in Alberta (-15 percent) andManitoba (-12 percent). Saskatchewan was the only province with close toaverage rainfall (+4 percent). As mentioned in the previous CropWatch bulletin,the Canadian Prairies suffered continuous drought that fueled a huge forestfire at the beginning of May at Fort McMurray (Alberta). Fortunately, the mainmaize production zones recorded above average rainfall, including Quebec (+20percent) and Ontario (+24 percent).

The difference betweenthe Canadian Prairies and the eastern provinces is confirmed by NDVI departureclusters that indicated positive anomaly of NDVI in eastern provinces and closeto average NDVI in the Prairies.

If the rainfall deficitcontinues in the Prairies in the coming months, summer crops sowing will beaffected by insufficient soil moisture. In the eastern provinces, goodcondition of maize is more likely, especially if good weather continues.

Figure3.9. Canada crop condition, January-April 2016

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