Alberta crops look positive amid moist harvest

Oct 14, 2014

Central Alberta has been experiencing a number of challenges

Farms.com

Crop yield in Alberta has been acceptable, but Central Alberta has been experiencing a number of challenges with their harvest. The issues come as little surprise to farmers in the region as they only had limited time with ideal weather conditions before wet weather limited productivity throughout the province.

Central Alberta farmers have fallen behind in their harvest. Presently, 58 percent of crops have been harvested which is an increase from 39 percent from the week before – so it was a busy week. It is estimated that the rest of the province has been able to complete 72 percent of their harvest thus far. According to Lukas Matejovsky, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development crop statistician, the sunny and relatively dry weather conditions experienced in early October need to continue for Albertan farmers to continue to harvest successfully.

Earlier in the summer, experts predicted that the poor weather was expected to limit the quantity of crops harvested, as well as their quality, but the quality is better than previously anticipated. Matejovsky suggests that crop quality should be higher than average and is optimistic for Alberta’s harvest. Over 85 percent of durum and more than 90 percent of spring wheat are expected to be at a level 3 grade or higher, and barley is expected to have 70 percent in grade 1. Food grades vary according to crops and take into consideration many factors such as appearance, moisture content, ergot and inseparable weed seeds.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

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For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.