Harvesting - photo credit to Glen Miller

By Dori Modney with files from the Alberta Crop Report

Harvest continues across Alberta with varying results

Sep 28, 2021 | 2:14 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. — Hot and dry weather across Alberta has had the expected results in some parts of Alberta, as the weather impacted growing conditions.

Conversely, cooler, wet weather in other areas has delayed the harvest in the past week but, 78 per cent of major crops are in the bin, an 18-percentage point increase over last week. The harvest is 31 points ahead of last year’s progress and 37 points ahead of the five-year average.

The Alberta Crop Report indicates dryland yields in the province are expected to be significantly below normal at 63 per cent of the 10-year index. Regionally, the ratings vary and reflect precipitation for individual areas. As anticipated, the South region has fared the worst with yields being 43 per cent of the 10-year index. The North West region fared better with yields being 77 per cent of the 10-year index.

Crop Report

The low precipitation accumulations in some areas are a concern and without fall and winter precipitation they will be at an elevated risk for next year’s plantings.

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Soil moisture ratings remained static for the week at 39 per cent good or excellent for surface, with sub-soil moisture at 29 per cent rated good or excellent. Fall-seeded crops are holding up under the dry conditions with 63 per cent rated good or excellent, seven points below the five-year average. Pastures are rating at 21 per cent good or excellent, well below the five-year average of 46 per cent.

Region One: South (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)

• Harvest is nearing completion with 85 per cent in the bin, well ahead of the five-year average of 75 per cent harvested. Six per cent is currently in the swath. Sugar beets are 10 per cent and dry beans are 50 per cent done.

• The dryland yield index dipped slightly to 45 per cent from 47 per cent two weeks ago. Dryland yield estimates (irrigated in brackets) are currently 18 (71) bushels per acre on spring wheat, 16 (75) on durum, 21 (91) on barley with 26 (79) on oats. Canola estimates are 16 (55) bushels to the acre with peas at 19 (47).

• Quality is very good despite the difficult growing season: 89 per cent of spring wheat and 83 per cent of durum are in the top two grades with 79 per cent of barley grading 1 CW or Malt and 90 per cent of oats in the top two grades. 73 per cent of canola is grading 1 CAN with 97 per cent of field peas in the top two grades.

• Fall seeded crop condition is estimated as 64 per cent good or excellent.

• Pasture ratings are 61 per cent poor, 29 per cent fair and 10 per cent good. Cattle have been turned into stubble.

• Surface soil moisture ratings (sub-surface in brackets) are 31 (59) per cent poor, 39 (31) per cent fair, 29 (10) per cent good and 1 (0) per cent excellent.

Region One: South (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)

• Harvest is nearing completion with 85 per cent in the bin, well ahead of the five-year average of 75 per cent harvested. Six per cent is currently in the swath. Sugar beets are 10 per cent and dry beans are 50 per cent done.

• The dryland yield index dipped slightly to 45 per cent from 47 per cent two weeks ago. Dryland yield estimates (irrigated in brackets) are currently 18 (71) bushels per acre on spring wheat, 16 (75) on durum, 21 (91) on barley with 26 (79) on oats. Canola estimates are 16 (55) bushels to the acre with peas at 19 (47).

• Quality is very good despite the difficult growing season: 89 per cent of spring wheat and 83 per cent of durum are in the top two grades with 79 per cent of barley grading 1 CW or Malt and 90 per cent of oats in the top two grades. 73 per cent of canola is grading 1 CAN with 97 per cent of field peas in the top two grades.

• Fall seeded crop condition is estimated as 64 per cent good or excellent.

• Pasture ratings are 61 per cent poor, 29 per cent fair and 10 per cent good. Cattle have been turned into stubble.

• Surface soil moisture ratings (sub-surface in brackets) are 31 (59) per cent poor, 39 (31) per cent fair, 29 (10) per cent good and 1 (0) per cent excellent.

More statistics and details for the rest of the province can be found on the Alberta Crop Reporting Calendar.