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Precipitation map | Tables and figures
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The following presents a review of the 2006 crop season and an analysis of Alberta 2006 crop production statistics. In addition, a precipitation map for the 2006 crop season is shown on page 96.
The 2006 crop season
With adequate moisture reserves and above normal temperatures in spring, the 2006 crop season was off to a good start in most areas of the province. Seeding operations progressed rapidly and were virtually complete by the end of May. Crops germinated quite well, the result of favorable crop growing conditions. However, due to excessive moisture, some fields were left unseeded, resulting in a higher summerfallow area than intended.
In June, soil moisture conditions continued to improve, as rains brought significant amounts of precipitation. The exception was the Peace Region where most areas received only scattered rain showers. In the Southern and Central Regions, heavy rainfall caused localized flooding. Overall in the province, soil moisture levels were good to excellent, and crops showed excellent growth.
However, in July, crop growing conditions changed dramatically. Persistent hot, dry weather prevailed across the province, severely depleting soil moisture reserves and causing crops to abort flowering and podding. This resulted in some significant deterioration in crop conditions and yield potentials. Winter cereals also suffered from heat stress, but to a much lesser extent. In the Southern Region, relatively adequate moisture reserves resulted in crops being in better condition compared to the rest of province. It should be pointed out that the hot, dry weather hastened crop development across the province.
Due to the early maturity of crops, harvesting began much earlier than normal in the province. By the end of August, about 35 per cent of the crop was in the bin, 10 to 14 days ahead of most years. Also, it is worth mentioning that hailstorms in August caused significant crop damage, particularly in the Central Region.
Warm, dry weather conditions allowed harvesting to progress rapidly until mid-September (estimated to be 83 per cent complete), when rain showers halted field operations in the province. Although cool, damp conditions continued to hamper harvest operations, most producers managed to take their crops off the field by mid-October. Crop quality was also impacted, particularly for some of those crops harvested during the latter part of 2006 crop season. Due to the delayed harvest caused by excess moisture, some crops were left in the field over the winter.
Overall, yields for major crops in 2006 were estimated to be down considerably from a year earlier, reflecting the impact of the hot, dry weather conditions in July, and to some degree, the damage caused by hailstorms in August. Despite this, crop quality was estimated to be above average.
Insects and crop diseases
Crop damage from pest infestations was less severe in 2006 than in most years. The most noticeable pest damage was caused by wheat stem sawflies, cabbage seedpod weevils and bertha armyworms. Infestations of grasshoppers and flea beetles were confined to several local areas, mostly in the Peace Region. Also reported were concerns and problems with other pests, including pea leaf weevils, root maggots, wireworms, lygus bugs, diamondback moth/larvae, and gophers.
Due to humid conditions, leaf diseases developed in cereal crops early in the season, resulting in the application of fungicides in some areas. Other crop diseases were also reported, including sclerotinia in canola.
Forage and pasture
Pasture and tame hay showed excellent growth in most areas of the province early in the season. This was due to adequate soil moisture reserves and above normal temperatures. Based on a survey conducted by the Statistics and Data Development Unit (SADD) of Alberta Agriculture and Food in late May 2006, pasture conditions in the province were reported as 5 per cent poor, 20 per cent fair, 55 per cent good, and 20 per cent excellent, while the rating for tame hay was slightly better. In June, pasture and tame hay continued to improve across the province, as crop growing conditions remained generally favourable.
However, the persistent hot, dry weather in July had a negative impact on pasture and tame hay growth. A lack of rainfall in August and early September caused further deterioration in pasture and tame hay conditions. By mid-September, pasture conditions in Alberta were rated as 42 per cent poor, 37 per cent fair, 19 per cent good, and 2 per cent excellent, representing a substantial decline from June.
With respect to tame hay production, the provincial average yield in 2006 was estimated to be higher than in most years. This stemmed from above average yields for the first cut. Overall, hay quality was estimated to be above average, although the quality of third cut hay under irrigation suffered some damage from rain showers. As well, to secure forage supplies, producers harvested some annual cereal crops as greenfeed and silage.
Alberta Crop Production, 2006
Based on the inter-censal revisions released by Statistics Canada in August 2007, production of principal field crops in Alberta in 2006 totaled 26.9 million tonnes, or 7 per cent lower than a year earlier. Much of the decline in production was driven by significantly lower crop yields, which resulted from the persistent hot, dry weather in July 2006.
To offer some perspective, most producers in the province had an average or above average crop in 2006. Overall, the provincial average yields were similar to their 10-year averages for barley, oats and dry peas, and above 10-year averages for spring wheat, durum wheat and canola. Also, yields were significantly higher than the 10-year averages for fall-seeded crops and most specialty crops grown in southern Alberta. With respect to crop quality, estimates of grades for major crops were better than in most years.
Regarding estimates for specific crops, total 2006 production of spring wheat in Alberta declined 7 per cent, to 6.7 million tonnes. The lower production stemmed from a 10 per cent reduction in the provincial average yield, which negated a 4 per cent increase in harvested area. Compared to 2005, durum production fell 36 per cent to 657,300 tonnes, the result of a substantial decline in harvested acreage. Total production of all wheat was estimated at 7.5 million tonnes, or 10 per cent lower than the record production of 8.4 million tonnes in 2005.
Total barley production was estimated at 4.4 million tonnes, down 16 per cent from 2005. The lower production was the result of reductions in both average yield and harvested area. With respect to oats, production was down 15 per cent to 706,300 tonnes, due to a lower yield. The lower barley and oats production, coupled with improved crop quality, contributed to a tight supply of feed grains in Alberta in the 2006/07 crop year.
Compared to a year earlier, total canola production was down 6 per cent to 3.4 million tonnes in 2006. The decline in production was attributed to a lower yield of 33.7 bushels per acre, compared to 37.9 bushels per acre in 2005. Total flaxseed production was down significantly by 32 per cent from a year earlier, to 36,300 tonnes, as a result of a lower yield and a much smaller harvested area in 2006.
Dry peas production fell 11 per cent to 552,600 tonnes, the result of a lower yield. The provincial average yield was estimated at 35.9 bushels per acre, 16 per cent lower than in 2005. Total tame hay production declined 7 per cent to 8.1 million tonnes, mainly driven by a 6 per cent reduction in the provincial average yield.
Additionally, based on a SADD Unit survey, total area harvested for greenfeed and silage production was estimated at 1.4 million acres (about 8 per cent of 2006 grain/oilseed crop acreage). This was down 7 per cent from the 2005 area of 1.5 million acres, with acreage for both greenfeed and silage showing significant declines. The lower acreage was to be expected given the high tame hay production in 2005 and 2006, which reduced the need for greenfeed and silage production. Total area harvested for greenfeed fell 6 per cent from 2005, to 600,000 acres, while silage acreage was down 7 per cent to 800,000 acres.
Due to the persistent hot, dry weather in July, provincial average yields for both greenfeed and silage were down in 2006, compared to a year earlier. With lower yields and reductions in harvested area, greenfeed and silage production declined significantly in 2006. Total greenfeed production was estimated at 1.6 million tones, about 20 per cent lower than in 2005, while total silage production fell 21 per cent in 2006 to 4.7 million tonnes.
Crop prices and marketing, Alberta, 2006
Prices for major grains and oilseeds remained low until the fall of 2006 when markets rallied due mainly to an increased demand from bio-fuel production. Other factors contributing to the market rally included a substantial decline in crop production in Australia, and a much smaller wheat crop in the United States in 2006. Overall, the average price of all wheat (weighted based on marketing and grades) was estimated at $3.29 per bushel, down 4 per cent from 2005, while the average barley price increased 6 per cent to $2.26 per bushel, from $2.13 per bushel a year earlier. For canola, the average price was estimated at $6.12 per bushel, 3 per cent higher than in 2005. Prices for other major and specialty crops are presented in Tables 79 and 89. Marketing in 2006 was estimated at 6.6 million tonnes for all wheat and 3.7 million tonnes (record high) for canola, up 14 per cent and 30 per cent respectively from a year earlier. For both crops, record production in 2005 and above average production in 2006 contributed to the large increases in marketing. However, barley marketing was estimated at 1.2 million tonnes, down 13 per cent from a year earlier, due mainly to smaller barley crops in 2005 and 2006. The 2006 barley production was the second lowest in 30 years.
Precipitation Map
To view the precipitation map, click here to open the attached .pdf file.
Tables and Figures
Tables | PDF File
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| Table 73 - Major Crop Production, Canada and Provinces, 1997-2006 | |
| Table 74 - Acreage and Production of Principal Field Crops, Prairie Provinces and Canada, 2006 | |
| Table 75 - Alberta Principal Field Crops - Area, Yield and Production, 2002-2006 | |
| Table 76 - Alberta Major Crops - Acreage, 1955-2006 | |
| Table 77 - Alberta Major Crops - Yield, 1955-2006 | |
| Table 78 - Alberta Major Crops - Production, 1955-2006 | |
| Table 79 - Alberta Major Crops - Unit Value, 1955-2006 | |
Table 80 - Alberta Wheat Crop by Type - Area, Yield and Production, 1997-2006
Table 81 - Alberta Summerfallow Area by Census Division, 1999-2006 | |
| Table 82 - All Wheat Acreage and Production for Alberta Census Divisions, 1997-2006 | |
| Table 83 - Spring Wheat Acreage and Production for Alberta Census Divisions, 1997-2006 | |
| Table 84 - Durum Wheat Acreage and Production for Alberta Census Divisions, 1997-2006 | |
| Table 85 - Barley Acreage and Production for Alberta Census Divisions, 1997-2006 | |
| Table 86 - Oats Acreage and Production for Alberta Census Divisions, 1997-2006 | |
| Table 87 - Canola Acreage and Production for Alberta Census Divisions, 1997-2006 | |
| Table 88 - Tame Hay Acreage and Production for Alberta Census Divisions, 1997-2006 | |
| Table 89 - Alberta Special Crops - Area, Yield and Production and Price, 1997-2006 | |
| Table 90 - Canadian Wheat Board Payments, 2000-01 to 2006-07 | |
| Table 91 - Canadian Wheat Board Payments (Initial and Final), 2004-05 and 2005-06 | |
| Table 92 - Non-Board Feed Grain Prices, 1996-97 to 2005-06 | |
Table 93 - Sugar Beet Industry, Alberta, 1999-2006
Table 94 - Major Commercial Vegetable Production, Alberta, 1999-2006 | |
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Table 95 - Alberta Forage Seed Crops Inspected for Pedigree Status, 1997-2006
Table 96 - Alberta Pedigreed Acres, 1997-2006 | |
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Table 97 - Municipal Co-Operative Seed Cleaning in Alberta, 1999-00 to 2005-06
Table 98- Production of Alfalfa Pellets and Cubes in Canada, 2000-01 to 2006-2007
Table 99 - Canadian Processing of Alfalfa Products, 2000-01 to 2006-07 | |
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| Table 100 - Stocks of Grain on Alberta Farms at July 31, 1970-2006 | |
| Table 101 - Farm Supply and Disposition of Alberta Principal Field Crops, 1997-98 to 2005-06 | |
Table 102 - Precipitation Recorded at Selected Alberta Stations, 2001-2006
Table 103 - Crop Area Assessment in Alberta Irrigation Districts, 2000-2006 | |
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Table 104 - Irrigation in Alberta by District, 1999-2006
Table 105 - Alberta Hail and Crop Insurance, 1999-2006 | |
Figures | PDF File
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Figure 31 - Harvested Acreage of Alberta Wheat, Barley and Canola, 2002-2006
Figure 32 - Price of Wheat, Barley and Canola, 1977-2006 | |
| Figure 33 - Production of Alberta Wheat, Barley and Canola, 1997-2006 | |
| Figure 34 - Stocks of Alberta Wheat and Barley at July 31, 1995-2006 | |
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