Harvest is complete in the Southern Region and nearly complete in the Central Region, while the northern regions in the province are still in mid-harvest. This past spring, the northern regions had some challenges with the harvesting of over-wintered crops which led to late seeding. As well, for these regions, rain, combined with snow and morning dew has delayed harvest operations in some areas. Even so, harvest continues to progress, when conditions permit.
Producers across the province took advantage of a few days of good weather to harvest as much crops as possible. Provincially, about 77 per cent of crops have now been harvested (up five per cent from a week ago), 12 per cent are in swath and another 11 per cent are standing. When compared to the 5-year average (2012-2016), harvest progress was advanced in the Southern and Central Regions, but is behind by about 20 per cent in the North East, 35 per cent in the North West and 16 per cent in the Peace Region (See Table 1). Provincially, nearly 15 per cent of spring wheat, 14 per cent of barley, 28 per cent of oats and six per cent of canola are still standing. Also, three per cent of spring wheat, four per cent of barley, eight per cent of oats and 27 per cent of canola have been swathed.
Surface soil moisture ratings have improved significantly in the Southern Region and slightly in the Peace Region. Surface soil moisture (5-year averages are in brackets) is now rated as nine (seven) per cent poor, 22 (24) per cent fair, 37 (46) per cent good and 31 (20) per cent excellent, with one (three) per cent excessive. Sub-surface soil moisture improved slightly for all regions and the province as a whole (See Table 2). Compared to the long-term normal, more moisture is needed in the Southern Region and in some northern parts of the Peace Region, to improve both surface and sub-surface soil moisture (see the map). Fall-seeded crops conditions (5-year averages are in brackets) are reported at 22 (three) per cent poor, 29 (21) per cent fair, 47 (58) per cent good and two (18) per cent excellent.
REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS:
The 2017 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:
Region One: Southern (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
- Rain and snow over the past week was beneficial for fall-seeded crops and led to some improvements in surface soil moisture. However, more moisture is still needed to improve sub-surface soil moisture.
- Surface soil moisture conditions are rated as 22 per cent poor, 34 per cent fair and 44 per cent good.
- Fall-seeded crops are rated as 26 per cent poor, 25 per cent fair, 46 per cent good and three per cent excellent.
- Pasture conditions are reported as 35 per cent poor, 26 per cent fair, 36 per cent good and three per cent excellent.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
- Despite some damp conditions in the Region, producers were able to make another four per cent of harvest progress. Even so, harvest has not progressed in some areas, due to heavy snow, scattered showers and cold temperatures.
- For the Region, about 91 per cent of crops have now been harvested (above the 5-year average of 80 per cent), six per cent are in swath and three per cent are still standing. Some cereal grains have been left in fields to be swath grazed.
- Surface soil moisture conditions are rated as seven per cent poor, 35 per cent fair, 40 per cent good and 18 per cent excellent.
- Fall-seeded crops are rated as two per cent poor, 62 per cent fair and 36 per cent good.
- Pasture conditions are reported as 50 per cent poor, 40 per cent fair and 10 per cent good.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
- Despite some showers, producers were still able to make good harvest progress by about 11 per cent. In some areas crops are still a little behind, due to late seeding and harvest has also been delayed, due to showers and the flattening of crops by last week’s snowfall.
- In the North East Region, 64 per cent of crops have been harvested (below the 5-year average of 83 per cent), with 19 per cent in the swath and 17 per cent still standing. About 26 per cent of spring wheat, 31 per cent of barley, 34 per cent of oats and seven per cent of canola are still standing, with 38 per cent of canola in swath.
- Surface soil moisture conditions are rated as five per cent fair, 28 per cent good and 66 per cent excellent, with one per cent excessive.
- Fall-seeded crops are rated as eight per cent fair and 92 per cent good.
- Pasture conditions are reported as eight per cent poor, 67 per cent fair, 20 per cent good and five per cent excellent.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
- High humidity and scattered showers have impeded harvest operations in some areas. Despite this, producers were still able to make another 14 per cent harvest progress.
- Overall, 41 per cent of crops have been harvested (below the 5-year average of 76 per cent), with 30 per cent in swath and 29 per cent still standing. About 40 per cent of spring wheat, 54 per cent of barley, 53 per cent of oats, one per cent of dry peas and 12 per cent of canola are still standing, with 60 per cent of canola in swath.
- Surface soil moisture conditions are rated as six per cent fair, 23 per cent good and 68 per cent excellent, with three per cent excessive.
- Pasture conditions are reported as 22 per cent poor, 56 per cent fair and 22 per cent good.
Region Five: Peace River (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
- Warm, sunny and dry weather over the past week allowed for about 14 per cent harvest progress.
- Regionally, 72 per cent of crops have been combined (behind the 5-year average of 89 per cent), 15 per cent in swath and 13 per cent still standing. About 21 per cent of spring wheat, 19 per cent of barley, 22 per cent of oats, two per cent of dry peas and eight per cent of canola are still standing, with 30 per cent of canola in swath.
- Surface soil moisture conditions are rated as five per cent poor, 16 per cent fair, 48 per cent good and 28 per cent excellent, with three per cent excessive.
- Pasture conditions are reported as two per cent poor, 22 per cent fair, 61 per cent good and 15 per cent excellent.
Source : Agriculture and Forestry