Alberta Harvest of Major Crops Passes Quarter Pole

More than one-quarter of this year’s Alberta crop was in the bin as of Tuesday, well ahead of the five- and 10-year averages.

The latest provincial crop report on Friday pegged the harvest of major crops (spring wheat, oats, barley, canola, dry peas) at 26% complete as of Tuesday. That is up from 16.5% a week earlier and easily tops the five-year average of 11% and the 10-year average of 12%. Last year at this time, just over 10% of the Alberta crop was off.

An additional 18% of Alberta major crops are in the swath as of Tuesday.

The bulk of the harvest progress to date has been made in the South Region, where 43.5% of the crop was already off as of Tuesday, compared to the more typical 30-21%. The South was followed by the Central Region at 27.5% complete, the North West at 23%, the Peace at 17% and the North East at 16%.

By crop, the spring wheat harvest was 30% complete as of Tuesday versus its five-year average of 9%, while barley was 35% combined compared to its five-year average of 14%. The oats harvest was 8 points ahead of the average at 11% done, canola 2 points ahead at 4% and peas at 28 points ahead at 85%.

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

· Cool wet weather caused some harvest delays this week. The major crops are 44 per cent combined, 12 points above the five-year average. Swathed crops are now eight per cent, four points below the five-year average. The processing corn harvest started this past weekend, the main potato harvest should start by the end of the week.

· Pasture ratings are now 51 per cent poor, 37 per cent fair, 11 per cent good, and 1 per cent excellent. · Hay ratings are now 44 per cent poor, 41 per cent fair, and 15 per cent good.

· Surface soil moisture rated as poor/fair is 79 per cent with sub-surface moisture rated at 91 per cent poor/fair.

Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)

· Moisture caused some harvest delays throughout the week. The major crops are 28 per cent combined, 20 points above the five-year average. Swathed crops are now 18 per cent, nine points above the five-year average.

· Pasture ratings are now 30 per cent poor, 32 per cent fair, and 38 per cent good.

· Hay ratings are now 33 per cent poor, 32 per cent fair, and 35 per cent good.

· Surface soil moisture rated as poor/fair is 57 per cent with sub-surface moisture rated at 62 per cent poor/fair.

Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)

· Rain and scattered showers slowed harvest in some areas. The major crops are 16 per cent combined, 12 points above the five-year average. Swathed crops are now 25 per cent, 14 points above the five-year average.

· Pasture ratings are now 78 per cent poor, 18 per cent fair, and 4 per cent good.

· Hay ratings are now 81 per cent poor, 16 per cent fair, and 3 per cent good.

· Surface soil moisture rated as poor/fair is 65 per cent with sub-surface moisture rated at 64 per cent poor/fair.

Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)

· Rains early in the week slowed harvest activity. The major crops are 23 per cent combined, which is 22 points above the five-year average. Swathed crops are now 23 per cent, 18 points above the five-year average.

· Pasture ratings are now 46 per cent poor, 43 per cent fair, and 11 per cent good.

· Hay ratings are now 41 per cent poor, 38 per cent fair, and 21 per cent good.

· Surface soil moisture rated as poor/fair is 50 per cent with sub-surface moisture rated at 44 per cent poor/fair.

Region Five: Peace (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)

· Rain last week temporarily slowed harvest progress. The major crops are 17 per cent combined, 13 points above the five-year average. Swathed crops are now 20 per cent, which is nine points above the five-year average.

· Pasture ratings are now 64 per cent poor, 33 per cent fair, and 3 per cent good.

· Hay ratings are now 59 per cent poor, 38 per cent fair, and 3 per cent good.

· Surface soil moisture rated as poor/fair is 79 per cent with sub-surface moisture rated at 84 per cent poor/fair.