During the monitoring period from April to July 2024, maize, soybean, and spring wheat had been sown in April and May and were reaching the grain-filling period in the 2nd half of July. Harvest of winter wheat started in July. Overall, crop conditions were close to average.

The proportion of irrigated cropland in Canada is only 5% and rainfall is an important factor affecting crop production. According to the CropWatch agroclimatic indicators, Canada experienced a warmer season, with near to average rainfall (RAIN +1%), above average temperature (TEMP +0.6℃), and below average radiation( RADPAR -5%), which led to above average potential biomass (BIOMSS +6%). 

According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were close to average. As shown in the NDVI cluster map, the crop condition was always above average in 12.8% of the cropped area, concentrated in the Prairies. 49.7% of total cropped land was below average after April. In the remaining parts, crop conditions fluctuated around the average level.

The Cropped Arable Land Fraction (CALF) was at the average level of 99%, slightly above the recent 5-year average. The VCIx is currently 0.93, indicating good vegetation health. Overall, the agricultural situation in Canada from April to July 2024 is characterised as average.

Regional analysis 

The Prairies (area identified as 53 in the NDVI clustering map) and Saint Lawrence basin (49, covering Ontario and Quebec) are the two major agricultural regions.

The rainfall in the Prairies, the main food production area in Canada, was above average (RAIN 372 mm +3%) and the temperature was above the average (TEMP +0.4°C), while radiation  was below average (RADPAR -5%). The major crops in this region are winter and spring wheat. According to the NDVI development graph and NDVI profile, crop conditions were slightly below or close to average during the monitering period. The Cropped Arable Land Fraction (CALF) was at the average level of 100%, above the recent 5-year average. The VCIx is 0.93. Overall, crop conditions in the Prairies were normal. 

For the Saint Lawrence basin, a slight rainfall deficit was recorded (RAIN -5%) and temperatures (TEMP +1.1°C) were above average, but radiation was below (RADPAR -3%). Altogether, these agroclimatic conditions led to average potential biomass (BIOMSS +4.4%). According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were close to the average. 

(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 departure profiles

(f) Rainfall profiles                                     (g) Temperature profiles

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

(i) CPI time series graph

Table 3.15 Canada's agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA,   April-July 2024

Table 3.16 Canada agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure, April-July 2024