By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Final crop report of 2021 yields good and bad news

Oct 25, 2021 | 11:19 AM

RED DEER, Alta. – The final Alberta Crop Report for 2021 indicates significantly lower yields — about 37 per cent below the five-year average.

Despite this, the Government of Alberta notes in a release, overall quality of all crops exceeded five-year averages, with the exception of malting barley and oats.

Farmers also finished harvest three to four weeks ahead of time due to favourable conditions.

“The drought this year hurt our farmers and ranchers but their hard work and hope for a ‘better year next year’ is what built up our world-class agriculture sector,” offered Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.

The release also notes that the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) continues to provide much-needed business risk management tools to producers facing adverse conditions.

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The AgriInsurance program is offering a 20 per cent discount for the 2021 crop year.

“As the growing season progressed, it became clear this discount would help ease some of the financial burden on producers facing adverse conditions,” it’s stated.

From Nov. 1-10 the AFSC will hold virtual meetings to discuss potential changes to Moisture Deficiency Insurance.

As of Oct. 12, harvest progress was 99 per cent complete provincially, well ahead of the five-year average of 71 per cent and the 10-year average of 81 per cent.

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

– Harvest in the region is virtually complete and producers are progressing with fall fieldwork. In some counties, livestock producers are purchasing feed and straw due to extremely dry conditions and heat stress from the growing season.

– Forage reserve estimates in this region are 10 per cent deficit, 17 per cent shortfall, 65 per cent adequate and 8 per cent surplus, while feed grain supplies are 9 per cent deficit, 15 per cent shortfall, 64 per cent adequate and 12 per cent surplus.

– Fall-seeded crops are rated as 27 per cent poor, 18 per cent fair, 45 per cent good and 10 per cent excellent.

– Surface soil moisture conditions (sub-surface ratings shown in brackets) are rated as 27 (34) per cent poor, 35 (29) per cent fair, 35 (35) per cent good and 3 (2) per cent excellent.

The entire final 2021 crop report can be read here.