Most of the summer crops, which had been sown in April and May reached the grain-filling period by the end of July. The harvest of winter wheat started in July. Overall, crop conditions were close to average.

According to the CropWatch agroclimatic indicators, Canada experienced drier and warmer conditions. The proportion of irrigated cropland in Canada is only 5% and rainfall is an important factor affecting crop production. The temperature (TEMP 0.9°C) was above the 15-year average while the rainfall (RAIN -5%) and radiation (RADPAR -3%) was below average, which led to average potential biomass (BIOMSS -1%). According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were slightly below average, especially at the end of July.

 As shown in the NDVI cluster map, the crop conditions were below average at the beginning and recovered to close to average after May on 44.9% of the cropped area, concentrated in the Western Prairies (including the north of Saskatchewan and the middle of Manitoba).  Crop conditions on 21% of total cropped land were close to or above average except for the end of July. On 26.8% of total cropped land, crop conditions fluctuated below the average level. In the remaining parts, crop conditions were always below average. The national maximum VCI value was 0.90, and the CALF was slightly above the recent 5-year average (CALF 98%).

The overall conditions of winter wheat, which is predominantly grown in the Saint Lawrence basin are assessed as favorable, and the prospects for the summer crops in the Prairies, including spring wheat, maize, and soybean are assessed as close to average.

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, was significantly below average (RAIN 317 mm -12%), while the temperature was above the average (TEMP +1.4°C), and solar radiation was slightly below (RADPAR, -3%). 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 in July. The negative departures were due to the deficit of precipitation and higher temperatures during the growing period of the summer crops. Crop conditions in the Prairies were slightly below average. 

The conditions in the Saint Lawrence were close to average, with average precipitation, temperature and radiation (RAIN 0% TEMP +0.1°C; RADPAR -3%). Altogether, these agroclimatic conditions led to average potential biomass (BIOMSS +1%). According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were close to the average level in the recent 5 years. Overall, crop conditions were close to the average for this region.

Figure 3.12 Canada's crop condition April-July 2023

(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 2023

Table 3.16. Canada agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure, April-July 2023