Hot, dry weather across Alberta over the past week has sped up harvest and dried down crops quickly, giving producers a solid jump in progress — but at the cost of rapidly depleting soil moisture reserves.
Provincial harvest of major crops is now 22% complete, a 14-point jump from the week prior. That’s slightly ahead of both the five-year average of 21% and the 10-year average of 17% for this time of year.
Regional harvest progress of major crops:
- South: 33% complete (+13 from last week)
- Central: 16% (+13)
- North East: 18% (+14)
- North West: 24% (+18)
- Peace: 20% (+12)
Peas and cereals led the charge. Dry pea harvest is 77% complete, spring barley is 29%, spring wheat is 26%, and oats are 17%. Canola, usually the last crop off, is just 3% harvested, though 28% of fields are already swathed.
Moisture Ratings Sliding
While the heat is ideal for harvest, it is taking a toll on soil reserves.
- Surface moisture: 45% rated good to excellent (down 12 points from last week).
- Sub-surface moisture: 46% good to excellent (down 8 points).
The South and Central regions are holding above average thanks to July rains, but the North East, North West and Peace are falling below normal.
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