| | 2003 crop production
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The following presents a review of the 2003 crop season, and an analysis of the 2003 crop production statistics. A precipitation map for the 2003 crop season appears on page 106.
The 2003 crop season
Following two consecutive dry years, the 2003 crop season began under favorable moisture conditions. In late May, surface soil moisture in Alberta was mostly rated as good to excellent. Sub-surface moisture, however, was a concern in some parts of the province, particularly in the eastern areas of the Central Region, as well as North East and North West Regions. Snow and cool, wet weather in the spring delayed seeding and crop emergence. Reseeding, mostly canola, occurred across the province, due to damage from snow, frosts and insects.
In June, however, a lack of general rainfall had many producers concerned about the increasing dryness. Most precipitation came from localized rain showers. The exception was the North East Region where appreciable amounts of precipitation improved soil moisture conditions.
By mid-July, crop development was about one to two weeks behind normal. High temperatures in July caused some crops to abort flowering, particularly in the Southern and Central Regions. Crops on dryland were showing signs of stress from dry conditions in many areas. However, crops under irrigation were developing well.
The dry, hot weather in August hastened crop development and maturity, but, negatively impacted yields. Particularly affected was the Southern Region. Soil moisture conditions continued to deteriorate across the province. The dry, hot weather, however, was favorable to crops grown under irrigation in southern Alberta.
Warm, dry conditions in September allowed harvest to progress rapidly. Combining of the 2003 crop was virtually complete by early October. Also, the favorable warm, dry conditions contributed to better than average crop quality.
Insects and crop diseases
Grasshoppers were again a major problem in 2003, causing significant damage to crop and pasture in many areas across the province. Cutworms, flea beetles and lygus bugs were also problematic. Infestations of gophers occurred in some areas in the Southern Region. Some crop diseases were also causing damage, but to a much lesser extent.
Forage and pasture
Due to the severe drought conditions experienced during the 2002 crop season, establishment of forage crops seeded in 2002 was poor. Tame hay growth was slow in spring due to cool temperatures. A lack of precipitation in the summer also hindered hay growth in many areas. As a result, 2003 tame hay yields were below the 10-year average level. Hay quality, however, was rated mostly as good to excellent. Also worth mentioning is that producers in Alberta harvested significant annual cereal crops as greenfeed and silage in 2003.
Pasture growth was somewhat slow early in the season due to low temperatures. Provincially, pasture condition in late May was rated as 20% poor, 25% fair, and 55% good to excellent. During the season, pasture deteriorated in most areas of the province, due to a lack of moisture. By October 2003, 71% of pasture in the province was rated as poor, 23% as fair, and 6% as good, based on a survey conducted by the Statistics and Data Development Unit of AAFRD.
2003 Crop Production
According to Statistics Canada's November estimate, total production of field crops in Alberta in 2003 was in line with the 10-year average. The 2003 production level nearly doubled from 2002, due to improved overall growing conditions. However, some areas of the province did experience severe drought conditions and/or insect problems, which impacted production. Total crop seeded area in 2003 was 2% above the 10-year average, while total harvested area was 3% higher than the 10-year average. Total summerfallow area fell in 2003 to 2.20 million acres, from 2.50 million acres in 2002.
Crop yields for major cereals in Alberta in 2003 were on par with the 10-year average levels, but below the 10-year average for dry peas (see Table 2). Canola yields, however, were 15% higher than the 10-year average. Contributing to the higher overall canola yield was better than average yields in the North East Region, a major canola production area in the province. Yields for dry beans, sugar beets and potatoes were also significantly above the 10-year average levels. These specialty crops were primarily grown under irrigation in the Southern Region. It should be noted that quality of 2003 crops in Alberta was above average.
Total wheat production in Alberta in 2003 was estimated at 6.46 million tonnes, 3% below the 10-year average. The lower wheat production was due to a drop in spring wheat production, which more than offset gains in durum and winter wheat production. Spring wheat production, estimated at 5.28 million tonnes, was 9% below the 10-year average, due to a reduction in acreage. Spring wheat represented 82% of the provincial total wheat production in 2003. Durum wheat production was estimated at 1.03 million tonnes, 34% above the 10-year average, largely because of higher acreage. Winter wheat production, estimated at 0.14 million tonnes, more than doubled the 10-year average level. Higher harvested area and better yields both contributed to the higher winter wheat production.
Total barley production in 2003 was estimated at 5.53 million tonnes, while for oats it was 0.88 million tonnes. Both production estimates were in line with the 10-year average levels.
Total canola production in 2003, estimated at 2.15 million tonnes, was 3% higher than the 10-year average. Higher canola yields more than offset the impact of lower acreage. Total production of dry peas was estimated at 0.51 million tonnes, 21% above the 10-year average level. A significant increase in harvested acreage was behind the higher production of dry peas.
Total tame hay production in 2003 was estimated at 6.40 million tonnes, 9% higher than the 10-year average. The provincial average yield was estimated at 1.1 tons per acre in 2003, compared to 1.2 tons per acre for the 10-year average. A significant increase in harvested acreage more than offset the impact of the lower yield for tame hay.
Additionally, two million acres or 11% of 2003 grain/oilseed crop acreage in Alberta were harvested as greenfeed or silage, according to estimates by the Statistics and Data Development Unit of AAFRD. This was 33% higher than the typical level of 1.50 million acres seen in most years, but less than one half of the 2002 record level of 4.50 million acres. Total harvested area in 2003 was estimated at 1.04 million acres for greenfeed and 0.97 million acres for silage.
Total greenfeed production in 2003 was estimated at 2.06 million tonnes, compared to 1.50 million tonnes in 2002. Total silage production was 4.53 million tonnes, 13% higher than 4.00 million tonnes in 2002. Higher greenfeed and silage production in 2003 was the result of higher yields, which more than offset the impact of lower harvested area for both forages.
Tables | PDF File
Size |
| Table 83 - Major Crop Production, Canada and Provinces, 1994-2003 | |
| Table 84 - Acreage and Production of Principal Field Crops, Prairie Provinces and Canada, 2003 | |
| Table 85 - Alberta Principal Field Crops - Area, Yield and Production, 1999-2003 | |
| Table 86 - Alberta Major Crops - Acreage, 1952-2003 | |
| Table 87 - Alberta Major Crops - Yield, 1952-2003 | |
| Table 88 - Alberta Major Crops - Production, 1952-2003 | |
| Table 89 - Alberta Major Crops - Unit Value, 1952-2003 | |
Table 90 - Alberta Wheat Crop by Type - Area, Yield and Production, 1994-2003
Table 91 - Alberta Summerfallow Area by Census Division, 1996-2003 | |
| Table 92 - All Wheat Acreage and Production for Alberta Census Divisions, 1994-2003 | |
| Table 93 - Spring Wheat Acreage and Production for Alberta Census Divisions, 1994-2003 | |
| Table 94 - Durum Wheat Acreage and Production for Alberta Census Divisions, 1994-2003 | |
| Table 95 - Barley Acreage and Production for Alberta Census Divisions, 1994-2003 | |
| Table 96 - Oats Acreage and Production for Alberta Census Divisions, 1994-2003 | |
| Table 97 - Canola Acreage and Production for Alberta Census Divisions, 1994-2003 | |
| Table 98 - Tame Hay Acreage and Production for Alberta Census Divisions, 1994-2003 | |
| Table 99 - Alberta Special Crops - Area, Yield and Production and Price, 1994-2003 | |
| Table 100 - Canadian Wheat Board Payments, 1997-98 to 2003-04 | |
| Table 101 - Canadian Wheat Board Payments (Initial and Final), 2001-02 and 2002-03 | |
| Table 102 - Non-Board Feed Grain Prices, 1993-94 to 2002-03 | |
Table 103 - Sugar Beet Industry, Alberta, 1996-2003
Table 104 - Major Commercial Vegetable Production, Alberta, 1996-2003 | |
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Table 105 - Alberta Forage Seed Crops Inspected for Pedigree Status, 1994-2003
Table 106 - Alberta Pedigreed Acres, 1994-2003 | |
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Table 107 - Municipal Co-Operative Seed Cleaning in Alberta, 1996-97 to 2002-03
Table 108 - Production of Alfalfa Pellets and Cubes in Canada, 1997-98 to 2003-2004
Table 109 - Canadian Processing of Alfalfa Products, 1997-98 to 2003-04 | |
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| Table 110 - Stocks of Grain on Alberta Farms at July 31, 1967-2003 | |
| Table 111 - Farm Supply and Disposition of Alberta Principal Field Crops, 1994-95 to 2002-03 | |
Table 112 - Precipitation Recorded at Selected Alberta Stations, 1998-2003
Table 113 - Crop Area Assessment in Alberta Irrigation Districts, 19998-2003 | |
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Table 114 - Irrigation in Alberta by District, 1996-2003
Table 115 - Alberta Hail and Crop Insurance, 1996-2003 | |
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