Crop Conditions as of September 4, 2012

• Excellent weather and warm dry conditions has harvest in full swing. Overall, about 39 per cent of cereal crops are standing, with 23 per cent in swath and 38 per cent combined. About 35 per cent of canola has been combined, with 41 per cent in swath and 24 per cent standing. For dry peas, 97 per cent are in the bin. Yields for major crops are estimated to be above average, with good quality. Potatoes and dry beans are mostly still standing, with 88 per cent and 35 per cent respectively. Sugar beet harvest has not yet begun.
• Producers are reporting lower yields than anticipated due to July and August heat stress and diseases such as sclerotinia, and aster yellows.
• Surface moisture is rated at 11 per cent poor, 49 per cent fair, and 40 per cent good to excellent. Sub-surface moisture is rated at one per cent poor, 39 per cent fair and 60 per cent good to excellent.

• The cool and dry weather over the past two weeks has slowed down harvest progress. Light rain showers and heavy winds were reported in a few areas of the region. About 50 per cent of cereal crops are still standing, with about 30 per cent in swath and 20 per cent combined. Nearly 27 per cent of canola is standing, with 51 per cent in swath and 22 per cent combined. Just over 11 per cent of dry peas are standing, with 10 per cent swathed and 79 per cent combined.
• Major crop yields are estimated to be average to above average, and of good quality. Crop diseases such as aster yellow and sclerotinia have been found in some areas of the region.
• Second cut haying operations are 43 per cent complete, and while quality is good to excellent, yields are about average. Pastures are generally in fair to excellent condition. Surface and sub-surface moisture conditions are rated as fair to excellent at 68 per cent and 83 per cent, respectively.

• During the past two weeks, scattered showers and damp conditions through most of the region have slowed down harvest progress. Overall, about 52 per cent of cereals are still standing, with 37 per cent swathed and 11 per cent combined. About 27 per cent of canola is standing, with 67 per cent swathed and six per cent in the bin.
• Canola and barley yields are lower than expected, largely due to army cutworms. However, yields are still estimated to be average to above average, and of good quality.
• One-half of second cut operations are complete, with 85 per cent of good to excellent quality. However, yield is below average. Pasture is rated at one per cent poor, 19 per cent fair and 80 per cent good to excellent. Surface and sub-surface moisture conditions are generally rated as fair to good.

• Most of the region received some rainfall that has slowed down harvest progress. Overall, about 66 per cent of cereal crops are still standing, with 26 per cent swathed and eight per cent combined. About 40 per cent of canola is standing, with 55 per cent in swath and five per cent combined. Yields are expected to be above average and quality is good.
• Second cut hay is about 37 per cent completed, with average yields and 85 per cent of good to excellent quality. Pasture is rated as 19 per cent fair, 72 per cent good and nine per cent excellent.
• Surface and sub-surface moisture conditions are rated as fair to excellent at 97 per cent and 94 per cent, respectively.

• Over the past two weeks, harvest has been progressing quickly, with combining starting earlier due to dry conditions. About 46 per cent of cereal crops are still standing, with 36 per cent in the swath, and 18 per cent combined. About 18 per cent of canola is standing, with the 73 per cent in swath and nine per cent combined. About 72 per cent of dry peas are in the bin, with 22 per cent still standing, and six per cent swathed. Yields are estimated to be average or above average.
• Second cut haying operations are 43 per cent complete with yields below average. However, quality is rated at 96 per cent good to excellent.
• Overall, surface moisture conditions are rated at 17 per cent poor, 50 per cent fair, 33 per cent good. Sub-surface moisture is rated at two per cent poor, 35 per cent fair, 45 per cent good, and 17 per cent excellent.