Alberta Crop Conditions as of September 15, 2015 - Abbreviated Report

• Lots of rain reported over the past week has slowed down harvesting. Canola and cereals sprouting in the swath will be an issue in some areas. At least two more weeks are needed to finish harvest. Yields are reported to be slightly lower than average. The potato harvest has started.
• Harvest in the South Region is 71 per cent complete, with 14 per cent in the swath. About 15 per cent of canola is still standing, with 27 per cent swathed and 58 per cent in the bin. Overall, only 19 per cent of spring wheat, 20 per cent of oats and 12 per cent of barley are still standing, while harvesting of dry peas is complete.
• Rain over the last week improved hay and pasture growth, now rated as 20 and 27 per cent good to excellent, respectively.
• Surface and sub-surface soil moisture conditions have improved and are rated, respectively as 53 per cent good to excellent (up seven per cent from last week) and 43 per cent good to excellent (up 14 per cent from a week ago).

• Recent rains through the week temporarily halted harvesting operations. In some parts of the region, more cereal crops have been baled for green feed.
• The Central Region has 17 per cent of crops harvested and 28 per cent in the swath. About 39 per cent of canola is standing, with 52 per cent swathed and 9 per cent harvested. About 67 per cent of spring wheat, 66 per cent of barley and 83 per cent of oats are still standing. Dry peas are 85 per cent harvested.
• Pasture and tame hay conditions had a small change from a week ago, with about 69 per cent of pasture and 66 per cent of tame hay growth rated as poor to fair.
• Both surface and sub-surface moisture conditions improved from last week and are rated as 82 and 72 per cent good to excellent, respectively.

• Rain has continued to halt harvest operations. While cereals have been left standing due to rainfall, swathing on canola fields has progressed. Barley sprouting in the swath has been reported in some areas.
• In the North East Region, 29 per cent of crops have been harvested, with 41 per cent in the swath. About 22 per cent of canola is standing, with 72 per cent swathed (up 20 per cent from last week) and seven per cent is in the bin. Nearly 36 per cent of spring wheat, 47 per cent of barley and 63 per cent of oats are still standing, while dry peas are 99 per cent harvested.
• Pasture and tame hay conditions are reported as 67 per cent and 76 per cent in poor to fair condition, respectively, both improved from last week.
• Surface moisture is rated at 69 per cent good to excellent (up five per cent from a week ago), while the sub-surface moisture is rated at 55 per cent good to excellent (up 15 per cent from the prior week)

• Showers over the past week have delayed crop harvest in most areas of the North West Region. About 28 per cent of crops are harvested and 30 per cent are in the swath.
• Swathing has progressed on canola, with 53 per cent in the swath and 39 per cent standing.
• About 38 per cent of spring wheat, 54 per cent of barley and 85 per cent of oats are still standing, while dry peas are 98 per cent harvested.
• The condition of pasture and tame hay has continued to decline and is reporting as 93 per cent in poor to fair (up more than one per cent from last week).
• Surface and sub-surface soil moisture are rated at 33 and 20 per cent in good to excellent range, respectively.

• Rain received over the past week has slowed down or completely halted harvesting. Hail was reported in many parts of the region and caused some damage to canola. Frost was also reported in some areas.
• Crops in the Peace Region are reported at 34 per cent harvested and 33 per cent in the swath. About 20 per cent of canola is still standing, with 57 per cent swathed and 23 per cent combined. About 50 per cent of spring wheat, 65 per cent of barley and 70 per cent of oats are still standing with 91 per cent of dry peas harvested.
• Pasture and tame hay conditions remain as 89 per cent poor to fair, unchanged from last week.
• Surface and sub-surface moisture are rated at 41 and 39 per cent good to excellent, respectively; both improved by about nine per cent from a week ago.