The Alberta harvest is underway, with early progress slightly ahead of the five- and 10-year averages.
Friday’s weekly crop report pegged the overall harvest across the province at just over 3% complete as of Tuesday, versus the five- and 10-year averages of around 2%.
The bulk of the progress to date has been made in the South Region, where the harvest was estimated at about 7% done as of Tuesday, close to the average pace. The Central Region was roughly 3% complete, followed by the Peace Region at 2%. Less than 1% of the crop was off in the North East and North West regions.
The pea and lentil crops were 21% and 28% harvested, with spring wheat and durum at less than 1% each. Barley was around 3% harvested.
Crop conditions and yield expectations have slipped from two weeks earlier, the report showed.
The condition of major crops (spring wheat, oats, barley, canola, peas) were rated 44% good to excellent as of Tuesday, down 2 points from a week earlier and the fourth straight week of decline. Currently, the highest regional rating is in the South where major crops were rated 60% good to excellent; followed by the Peace at 54%, the North East at 51%, the North West at 29% and the Central at 21%.
The five-year yield index now sits at 102.2, down from 105.1 two weeks earlier, while the 10-year index has dropped to 97.5 from 100.2.
The average spring wheat yield in the province is pegged at 47.2 bu/acre, down 0.9 bu from two weeks ago, while barley is down 2.3 bu to 60 bu/acre, and oats down 0.1 bu to 69.9 bu/acre. The average canola yield is seen at 34.2 bu/acre versus 34.6 bu two weeks earlier, while peas are down to 37.8 bu/acre from 40.5 bu.
Precipitation this past week ranged from 3 mm to 15 mm around the South, Central, North West and Peace while some pockets got less than 1 mm. Most of the North East Region received less than 5 mm.
While temperatures did cool down and light showers brought relief to crops that were maturing faster than normal, both surface and sub-surface soil moisture conditions continued to decline.
Region One: South (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
• Major crops are rated as 60 per cent good to excellent down from 66 per cent good to excellent last week. The South Region has combined 57 per cent of winter wheat, 64 per cent of fall rye, 30 per cent of dry peas and 28 per cent of lentils.
• Rain showers brought relief to some areas, finally slowing crops that were maturing faster due to heat. Damaging hail as well as damaging winds were reported in a few areas. Sub-surface soil moisture is currently rated (5-year average) as 27 (33) per cent poor, 49 (38) per cent fair, 23 (26) per cent good, 0 (3) per cent excellent, and 0 (0) per cent excessive.
• While pasture and tame hay are currently stagnant, recent moisture and cooler temperatures could improve fall regrowth.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
• Harvest is underway as crops are turning quickly. Yields vary around the region as in the east there are reports of excellent yields while the west side of the region experienced very damaging hail. Yields in several areas have been affected by dry conditions and heat with many crops too advanced to improve.
• Continued reports of additional silaging, swath grazing, greenfeed and baling of poor crops. It is reported alfalfa looks better than predominately grass fields and producers are waiting a few weeks before harvesting second cut.
• Central Region sub-surface soil moisture is currently rated (5-year average) as 52 (18) per cent poor, 35 (26) per cent fair, 13 (44) per cent good, 1 (11) per cent excellent, and 0 (1) per cent excessive.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
• Dry pea desiccating and harvesting is just starting in the North East. Cereals are ripening quickly but are missing kernels throughout heads due to high temperatures during the reproductive stages. Some of these poor cereals are being silage to salvage and produce additional feed due to lack of forage crops. Canola is ripening fast as well as a few reports of fields that are still in flower after receiving hail damage earlier in the season. These fields will need good weather throughout September to mature.
• Sub-surface soil moisture is currently rated (5-year average) as 26 (15) per cent poor, 40 (21) per cent fair, 34 (34) per cent good, 0 (28) per cent excellent, and 0 (2) per cent excessive.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
• Some canola is trying to flower again after aborting pods during high heat and cereals are missing kernels. Yields vary throughout the region due to scattered moisture and seeding time differences.
• While silage is in full swing, second cut hay is slow to regrow after dry conditions in July.
• There was scattered moisture over the past week, but may areas remain in poor condition. Sub-surface soil moisture is currently rated (5-year average) as 32 (4) per cent poor, 46 (18) per cent fair, 20 (35) per cent good, 1 (31) per cent excellent, and 0 (12) per cent excessive.
Region Five: Peace (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
• Winter wheat and dry pea harvest are 25 and 18 per cent complete, respectively. Canola is also starting to be swathed.
• There was some rain over the past week in the north and east part of the region and the south east part is considered to have adequate moisture. However, many areas around the region are considered dry.
• Sub-surface soil moisture is currently rated (5-year average) as 5 (13) per cent poor, 45 (22) per cent fair, 43 (42) per cent good, 6 (22) per cent excellent, and 0 (1) per cent excessive.
