During the monitoring period from April to July 2021, the harvest of winter wheat had started in July. Maize, soybean, and spring wheat had been sown in April and May and were reaching the grainfilling period in the 2nd half of July. According to the CropWatch agroclimatic indicators, Canada experienced hot and dry conditions starting from June. Crop conditions were slightly below average in the Prairies, but good or excellent crop conditions were observed in the Saint Lawrence basin.

The temperature (TEMP +0.5°C) and radiation (RADPAR +2%) were above the 15-year average while the rainfall (RAIN -8%) was below average. The temperature profile depicts that temperatures were above average in June and July. The rainfall profile shows that the precipitation was below average after May. Correspondingly, crop conditions were above average at the beginning of this monitoring period, however, they deteriorated to be significantly below average after May according to the NDVI development graph. As shown in the NDVI cluster map, the crop condition was always above average in 13.6% of the cropped area, concentrated in the Saint Lawrence basin (including the middle of Ontario and patches in the south of Quebec).  33.2% of total cropped land was below average after April. In the remaining parts, crop conditions fluctuated around the average level. The national maximum VCI value was 0.86, and the CALF was slightly below the recent 5-year average (CALF -1%).

The overall conditions of winter wheat, which is predominantly grown in the Saint Lawrence basin is  assessed as slightly above average, and the prospects for the summer crops, including spring wheat may have been affected by the dry weather in May and June.

Regional analysis 

The Prairies (area identified as 53 in the crop condition clusters map) and Saint Lawrence basin (49) are the major agricultural regions in Canada.

The rainfall in the Prairies, the main food production area in Canada, was below average (RAIN 291 mm, -18%), while the temperature(TEMP +0.7°C)  and radiation (RADPAR +4%) were above average. The major crops in this region are winter wheat and spring wheat. According to the NDVI development graph and NDVI profile, crop conditions were below average since May. The negative departures were due to the deficit of rainfall. Hence, crop conditions in the Prairies are unfavorable, mostly due to dry weather. 

The conditions in the Saint Lawrence basin differed from the rest of the country as rainfall (RAIN +4%) and temperature (TEMP +0.3°C) were above average. Radiation was slightly below average (RADPAR -1%). Altogether, these agroclimatic conditions led to average potential biomass (BIOMSS -1%). According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions reached the maximum level of the recent 5years. Overall, crop conditions were favorable for this region.

Figure 3.12 Canada's crop condition April-July 2021

(a). Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI  (c) Maximum VCI

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA   (e) NDVI profiles

(f) Rainfall time series                                      (g) Temperature time series 

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Canadian Prairies region (left) and Saint Lawrence basin region (right))

Table 3.15. Canada's agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA,  April-July 2021

Table 3.16. Canada agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure, April-July 2021