By rdnewsNOW Staff

Over one-quarter of major crops combined in central Alberta

Sep 3, 2021 | 4:48 PM

RED DEER, Alta. – Recent moisture has caused some harvest delays throughout central Alberta over the past the week.

According to the latest crop report from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, in partnership with Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC), the major crops are 28 per cent combined, 20 points above the five-year average.

Officials say swathed crops are now 18 per cent, nine points above the five-year average. Pasture ratings are said to be 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 and is 57 per cent with sub-surface moisture rated at 62 per cent poor/fair.

Across Alberta, harvest is estimated to be 26 per cent complete in the province, with all regions advancing between eight and 11 points over last week’s report. An additional 18 per cent of major crops are in the swath.

Regional harvest progress is ahead of last year and the five- and 10-year averages. By crop, spring wheat harvest is 30 per cent complete versus its five-year average of nine per cent, barley averages 35 per cent combined compared to its five-year average of 14 per cent with oats estimated at 11 per cent combined versus the five-year average of three per cent. Canola harvest at four per cent compares to its five-year average of two per cent and field peas at 85 per cent in the bin compared to a five-year average of 57 per cent.

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Officials say pasture conditions remains a concern for livestock producers struggling to feed their animals. Provincial estimates show 51 per cent of pasture is rated as poor, 33 per cent fair, with 17 per cent as good.

Central region ratings show that they have the highest number of acres rated as good at 38 per cent, while North East has the most acres rated as poor at 78 per cent. Tame hay ratings are comparable to pasture with 49 per cent rated poor, 33 per cent rated fair and 18 per rated as good across Alberta.

Precipitation received since April 1 has been below the long-term normal for the vast majority of the province, with pockets in all regions experiencing rainfall shortages seen less than once in 12 to 50 years. Surface soil moisture ratings (sub-surface in brackets) are very similar to last week, with 33 (40) per cent rated poor, 35 (32) per cent fair, 31 (26) per cent good and 1 (2) per cent excellent.