The current monitoring period is the growth and wintering season of winter crops in Canada. Overall, CropWatch agroclimatic and agronomic indicators indicate above average crop condition in the country. While RAIN and TEMP were above average (+17% and +1.4°C, respectively), RADPAR was significantly below (-6%) due to rainy weather. Above average rainfall fell in major crop production provinces, and the accumulated rainfall (RAIN) for Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan was +13%, +10%, and +3% respectively, according to this CropWatch agroclimatic indicator. Over the reporting period, temperatures (TEMP) in the same three provinces were +1°C, +2°C, and +2°C, respectively. Warm and humid weather is good for the growth of winter crops, and most parts of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan showed positive NDVI departures. Altogether, crop condition is assessed as favorable.

Figure 3.9. Canada crop condition, January-April2017

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI                          (b) MaximumVCI

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