As of Sept. 29, favourable fall weather supported harvest in the North West Region for most of the week, with scattered rains and overnight frosts causing delays in some areas.
That’s according to the latest crop report by the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) and the Government of Alberta.
Sub-surface soil moisture sits at two per cent poor, 16 per cent fair, 41 per cent good, 30 per cent excellent and 11 per cent excessive.
Fall seeded crop conditions are rated as zero per cent poor, seven per cent fair, 74 per cent good and 19 per cent excellent, while pasture growth conditions are rated as zero per cent poor, eight per cent fair, 74 per cent good and 18 per cent excellent.
The AFSC says favourable weather conditions across most of the province supported harvest progress last week, with harvest of major crops now at 60 per cent complete, representing a 21 per cent increase from the previous week. Current harvest progress remains behind both the five-year and 10-year averages of 86 and 68 per cent, and producers are taking every opportunity to harvest despite scattered rains and heavy frosts toward the end of the week.
Regional harvest progress of major crops (weekly change) was reported as 77 (+14) per cent in the South, 68 (+25) per cent in the Central, 53 (+25) per cent in the North East, 46 (+17) per cent in the North West and 45 (+22) per cent in the Peace Region.
For provincial crops, the dry pea harvest is 97 per cent complete, with six per cent of the crop having been harvested over the past week. Barley harvest is now 79 per cent complete, advancing by 18 per cent, while spring wheat harvest is 73 per cent complete, with 30 per cent of the crop harvested since the previous report. Canola harvest has reached 31 per cent, an increase of 16 per cent, with an additional 36 per cent of the canola crop swathed, according to the report.
Warm fall weather helped dry soils in most of the province over the past week, with the exception of the North East Region. Provincial surface soil moisture condition is rated at 68 per cent good-to-excellent, a six per cent decrease from last week.
Regional good-to-excellent ratings (change from last week) are 69 (-10) per cent in the South, 57 (-7) per cent in the Central, 71 (+1) per cent in the North East, 72 (-7) per cent in the North West and 89 (-1) per cent in the Peace, the AFSC reports. All regional good-to-excellent ratings remain above the historical five-year and 10-year averages for this week.
Provincially and regionally, the sub-surface soil moisture conditions remain similar to values reported last week and the good-to-excellent ratings remain above both the five-year and 10-year historical averages.
Provincial sub-surface moisture in good-to-excellent condition is at 65 per cent, which is unchanged from last week. The report says provincial good-to-excellent five-year average is 28 per cent and 10-year average is 45 per cent.
Regional sub-surface good-to-excellent ratings (change from last week) are reported at 56 (-2) per cent in the South, 53 (-2) per cent for the Central, 74 (+2) per cent for the North East, 71 (+2) per cent for the North West and 97 (zero) per cent for the Peace.
According to the report, pasture rated as having good-to-excellent growth stands at 51 per cent, representing a one per cent decrease from the previous week. Even with a slight decline, the current growth rating is exceeding the historical seasonal norms; good-to-excellent ratings are above both the five-year average of 23 per cent and the 10-year average of 35 per cent for this week.
Regional pasture good-to-excellent growth conditions (change from last week) are reported as 69 (-1) per cent for the South, 19 (-2) per cent for the Central, 55 (zero) per cent for the North East, 92 (-2) per cent for the North West, and 48 (+3) per cent for the Peace Region.
Provincial fall seeded crops are rated as in good-to-excellent condition if they are emerging with near optimal stand being established at the expected time of year. This week, provincial fall crops are rated at 75 per cent good-to-excellent, above both the five-year average of 45 per cent and the 10-year average of 57 per cent for this week.
Regional good-to-excellent conditions (5-year average) are reported as 88 (51) per cent for the South, 64 (46) per cent for the Central, 47 (39) per cent for the North East, 93 (43) per cent for the North West, and 67 (N/A) per cent for the Peace, says the AFSC. The Peace Region does not have enough historical ratings for seeded crops in this week to provide a historical average.
The North West Region includes Barrhead, Drayton Valley, Edmonton, Leduc and Athabasca.
