Southern Alberta farmers leading province in crop harvest

Sep 11, 2020 | 2:41 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – It should come as no surprise to farmers in the region, but they have made far more progress in harvesting this year’s crops than elsewhere in the province.

According to the latest Alberta Crop Report from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, approximately half of all crops in the southern region have been combined as of Tuesday, September 8.

The provincial average is just 21.9 per cent.

Among local farmers, 12 per cent of crops have been swathed and 39 per cent are still standing.

They have harvested nearly all winter wheat, fall rye, dry peas, and chickpeas with all of those being at least 90 per cent.

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Estimated yields in the south so far are about 48 per cent higher than the five-year average, while provincially, yields are faring about 16 per cent higher than usual.

At the same time, the researchers note that precipitation last weekend hindered some harvesting progress.

The full Alberta Crop Report for September 8 can be found here.

Estimates of Crop Harvest Progress as of September 8, 2020. (Alberta Crop Report)

Provincial and Regional Harvest Progress, 2016-2020. (Alberta Crop Report)

Dryland Yield Estimates as of September 8, 2020. (Alberta Crop Report)

by David Opinko