Harvest Starts in Southern, Central Alberta

Harvest has started in southern and central Alberta for fall seeded crops and pulses, the Aug. 9 provincial crop report said.

Spring seeded cereals across the province are mostly in the beginning of the dough development growth stage, while fall seeded crops are in the ripening stage, the report noted. About 90 per cent of canola and 99 per cent of dry peas, lentils and chickpeas are in the podding stage.

Provincial crop growing condition ratings declined slightly from the previous report. Currently, 70 per cent of crops in Alberta are in good or excellent condition, compared to the five-year average of 56 per cent.

“While crop growing conditions in all regions remained above their five-year averages, compared to the previous report, growing condition ratings dropped for all regions, except for the north west,” the report said.

Yield estimates are above both the 5-year and 10-year averages in all regions. Provincially, the estimated dryland five-year yield index is 115.1, indicating that provincial yields are estimated at 15 per cent above the five-year averages, the report said. Regionally, the five-year yield index is the best in the Peace region, with the lowest yield estimates being reported in the north west.