Crop Conditions as of October 13, 2005

The poor fall weather conditions continue to cause quality losses, particularly to spring cereals. Quality of oilseeds is also being impacted, but to a lesser extent. A large amount of cereal crops is being taken off damp and tough, and needs to be dried. In many areas, sprouting is occurring in both standing and swathed cereals. Provincial average yields of major crops, however, are estimated to be above or much above 10-year averages.

Due to improved moisture conditions, provincial average yield of tame hay this year is likely to be above the 10-year average. Hay quality ranges mostly from fair to good, with the recently baled hay being of lower quality. The majority of pasture and winter cereals seeded in the fall of 2005 are reported in good condition.

Across the province, over 80% of survey respondents have rated soil moisture conditions as good or excellent. This is leading to weed infestations in some areas. Also reported is crop damage from excess moisture, gophers, sawflies, hail, and frost.

Please note that there will be one or two more Alberta 2005 crop reports to be released, depending on the progress of harvest completion.

Special thanks go to members of the Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen and staff of AFSC for their contributions to the crop report.

REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS:
The 2005 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:

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

• Combining is complete or nearly complete in most areas east of Lethbridge, while in areas west of Lethbridge, harvest progress ranges from 50% to 75% complete. Overall, about three-quarters of the 2005 crop in the region have been combined. Regional average yields of major crops are estimated to be above or much above 10-year averages. Also reported are crop damage from excess moisture, sawflies, gophers, and frost.
• The cool, wet weather conditions have also delayed the specialty crop harvest. Harvesting operations for sugar beets and dry beans are currently underway, while potato harvest is nearly complete. Yields of these specialty crops are estimated to be in line with 10-year averages.
• Pasture is rated as 5% poor, 31% fair, 58% good, and 6% excellent.

• Due to cool, damp conditions, harvest is only 40% complete in the region. A large amount of spring cereals being taken off needs to be dried. Some crops in saturated fields will likely not be harvested, because of difficulties of equipment access.
• Regional average yields of major crops are estimated to be above 10-year averages, but quality continues to deteriorate. Frost, sawflies and hail have caused crop damages.
• Pasture is reported as 4% poor, 23% fair, 54% good, and 19% excellent.

• Harvest has been progressing rapidly in the region during the last week, and now stands at nearly 40% complete. Continued deterioration of crop quality, particularly to cereals, is a major concern. A large amount of cereal crops is being taken off damp and tough, and needs to be dried. Quality of canola is also being impacted, but to a lesser extent. Overall, about 44% of canola is in the bin, 54% in the swath, and 2% standing in the field.
• Regional average yields of major crops are estimated to be above or much above 10-year averages.
• Pasture is reported as 2% poor, 7% fair, 75% good, and 16% excellent.

• The cool, wet weather conditions continue to hamper harvesting operations in the region, which are about 40% complete. The delayed harvest and continued deterioration of crop quality remain major concerns to producers. Regional average yields of major crops are likely to be above 10-year averages.
• The majority of recently baled hay is of lower quality, due to weather damage.
• Pasture is mostly in fair or good condition.

• Combining has been progressing relatively rapidly in the region during the last two weeks, and now stands at 70% complete. Across the region, southern areas are lagging behind, with a harvest progress of less than 50%, while combining is over 80% complete in most other areas.
• Overall, about 60% of canola is in the bin, and the remaining 40% is in the swath.
• There are continued reports of reduced crop yields and quality, due to damage from the frost in mid-August. Additionally, crop quality continues to deteriorate, because of rain showers, frost, and below seasonal temperatures. Pasture is reported as 11% fair, 43% fair, 45% good, and 1% excellent.