As of Sept. 2, harvest progress of major crops continued in the North West Region over the past week, with 24 per cent of major crops now harvested, ahead of the five-year average of 10 per cent.
That’s according to the latest crop report from Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) and the Government of Alberta.
Harvest progress varies by crop across the region. Dry peas are 81 per cent complete, barley and spring wheat are both at 39 per cent, oats are 24 per cent harvested, and canola is just getting underway at one per cent.
Sub-surface soil moisture ratings show 32 per cent poor, 36 per cent fair, 30 per cent good, two per cent excellent, with no reports of excessive moisture. Tame hay growth is rated at 19 per cent poor, 44 per cent fair, 32 per cent good, and five per cent excellent.
Across the province, hot and dry conditions continued over the past week, which allowed for significant harvest progress and continued to reduce soil moisture. While crops are ripening quickly in all regions, the report notes some fields with uneven maturation are being noted in wetter areas. These fields are either left standing for harvest later or are being swathed to speed up ripening.
Provincial harvest of major crops progressed significantly over the past week to 22 per cent complete, representing a 14 per cent jump in progress over the last week. Current harvest progress is ahead of both the five-year and 10-year averages of 21 and 17 per cent, respectively. Regionally, harvest progress of major crops (weekly change) was reported as 33 (+13) per cent in the South, 16 (+13) per cent in the Central, 18 (+14) per cent in the North East, 24 (+18) per cent in the North West and 20 (+12) per cent in the Peace Region.
Notable progress was made in the harvest of dry peas and cereals. Dry pea harvest is 77 per cent complete with 27 per cent of the crop harvested last week. Spring-planted barley harvest is 29 per cent complete, progressing 18 per cent over last week. Spring wheat harvest is 26 per cent complete with 20 per cent of the crop harvested since the last report. Oat harvest is now 17 per cent complete, which is a 14 per cent jump since last week. While canola harvest is at three per cent, it is typically one of the last crops to be harvested; however, 28 per cent of the provincial canola crop has been swathed.
The AFSC says the ongoing hot and dry conditions are reducing soil moisture ratings, although they are supporting harvest. The percentage of the province with surface soil moisture rated as good to excellent is 45 per cent this week, a drop of 12 per cent since last week, and between the five-year average of 43 per cent and the 10-year average of 48 per cent.
Regional sub-surface soil moisture is also depleting rapidly. Provincial sub-surface moisture in good to excellent condition is at 46 per cent; a decrease of eight per cent since last week, but still above the five-year average of 41 per cent and in line with the 10-year average of 46 per cent.
Meantime, regional sub-surface good to excellent ratings (change from last week) are reported at 38 (-4) per cent in the South, 71 (-10) per cent for the Central, 35 (-7) per cent for the North East, 32 (-5) per cent for the North West and 37 (-18) per cent for the Peace. Regional ratings continue to be above average for this week in the South and Central regions due to the significant rainfall received during July, while the North East, North West and Peace regional ratings continue to be below average.
The warmer temperatures this week are reportedly slowing pasture growth across the province, with some pasture reportedly starting to brown in the heat. However, the proportion of provincial pasture having good to excellent growth conditions is still higher than average for this time of year, with this week’s rating of 44 per cent above both the five-year average of 35 per cent and the 10-year average of 37 per cent.
The provincial rating is due to higher-than-average ratings in the South and Central regions compensating for lower-than-average ratings in the rest of the province. Regional pasture good to excellent growth conditions (change from last week) are reported as 40 (-6) per cent for the South, 64 (-21) per cent for the Central, 25 (-3) per cent for the North East, 33 (-6) per cent for the North West, and 27 (-1) per cent for the Peace Region.
Hot and dry weather is limiting the growth of tame hay; however, the same conditions are proving ideal for drying the second cut. Provincially, tame hay growth is currently rated at 38 per cent good to excellent, a 6 per cent decrease from last week. This remains below the 5-year average of 39 per cent and the 10-year average of 42 per cent, according to the report.
Regional good to excellent growth conditions (change from last week) are reported as 38 (-4) per cent for the South, 60 (-17) per cent for the Central, 18 (-3) per cent for the North East, 37 (-2) per cent for the North West, and 24 (-1) per cent for the Peace.
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