As of August 19, harvest in the North West Region is 12 per cent complete for dry peas and one per cent complete for both barley and spring wheat, though progress has been slowed in some areas by excess moisture.
Meantime, canola is ripening, with swathing still limited at three per cent.
That’s according to the latest crop report from the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) and Government of Alberta.
Recent rainfall has been significant, ranging from three to over six inches in some areas, resulting in surface (sub-surface) moisture rated as 13 (28) per cent poor, 33 (36) per cent fair, 38 (34) per cent good, 16 (three) per cent excellent and zero (zero) per cent excessive.
Pasture (tame hay) conditions are rated as 20 (15) per cent poor, 39 (44) per cent fair, 39 (37) per cent good, and one (six) per cent excellent.
Provincially, harvest for major crops is at two per cent complete, below the five-year and 10-year averages of eight and six per cent, respectively. Regional progress is highest in the South at six per cent complete, followed by the Peace Region at four per cent, while the remaining regions combined are below two per cent complete.
The report says harvest progress for all regions are slightly below their respective five- and 10-year averages, except for the Peace, which is ahead of the historical average of two per cent. Progress in the South is supported by warm and dry conditions, while cooler temperatures in the North West, North East, and Peace regions are slowing crop maturity and delaying harvest.
Dry peas lead major crops with harvest progress at 17 per cent complete for the province, followed by barley at three per cent, while spring wheat, oats, and canola combined account for less than three per cent.
The per cent of major crops rated good to excellent province-wide held steady at 64 per cent from the previous week, above the five- and 10-year average of 50 and 55 per cent, respectively. Regionally, crop conditions rated as good to excellent are highest in the Central Region at 93 per cent, followed by the North West at 69 per cent, the South at 63 per cent, the North East at 60 per cent, and the Peace Region at 26 per cent.
Regarding major cereal crops, growth is nearing the end of the dough development stage and is expected to begin ripening in the coming weeks, keeping development on track with historical averages.
The AFSC says widespread rain across parts of the province has brought relief to areas where moisture stress was a concern during the growing season. As a result, surface soil moisture levels have improved for the province, with significant increases in the North West, Peace, and the North East regions. The drawback, however, is cool and went conditions in these areas have caused some delays in harvest.
Surface soil moisture (five-year average) condition rated as good to excellent is now at 89 (43) per cent in the Central Region, 63 (41) per cent provincially, 54 (51) per cent in the North West Region, 53 (24) per cent in the South Region, 51 (54) per cent in the Peace Region, and 50 (51) per cent in the North East Region.
Sub-surface soil moisture (five-year average) condition rated as good to excellent is now at 55 (41) per cent provincially, 81 (43) per cent in the Central Region, 52 (58) per cent in the Peace Region, 46 (25) per cent in the South Region, 45 (49) per cent in the North East Region, and 37 (53) per cent in the North West Region.
Recent rainfall has also improved pasture conditions in the North West and Peace Regions, especially in areas where it has not been overgrazed.
Provincial pasture conditions remain stable at 55 per cent good to excellent from last week, below the five- and 10-year average of 39 and 41 per cent, respectively. Regional conditions are currently rated (five-year average) as 86 (43) per cent good to excellent in the Central Region, 48 (28) per cent good to excellent in the South Region, 40 (50) per cent good to excellent in the North West Region, 28 (50) per cent good to excellent in the Peace Region, and 25 (43) per cent good to excellent in the North East Region.
According to the report, cooler temperatures have slowed tame hay regrowth in some regions, while others have mostly completed. Regional reports indicate second-cut hay is progressing well where earlier rainfall had delayed harvest, with generally good yields and high quality.
Tame hay growth conditions remain stable at 45 per cent good to excellent from last week, below the five- and 10-year average of 44 and 47 per cent, respectively. Regional conditions are currently rated (five-year average) as 80 (45) per cent good to excellent in the Central Region, 44 (27) per cent good to excellent in the South Region, 42 (56) per cent good to excellent in the North West Region, 25 (49) per cent good to excellent in the Peace Region, and 16 (41) per cent good to excellent in the North East Region.
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