Crop Conditions as of September 9, 2004

Cool, wet weather conditions delayed crop maturity and hindered harvesting operations in Alberta. Frosts and snow brought additional challenges to the harvesting season. Provincially, only 10% of the 2004 crop is in the bin, well behind normal (about 30%). Harvest is most advanced in the Southern Region, with 32% complete. About 3% has been combined in the Central, North West and Peace Regions, and only 1% in the North East Region. Estimates of provincial harvest progress by crop are: dry peas 30%, durum wheat 25%, barley 13%, spring wheat 8%, oats and canola 3%. Most canola and dry peas have been swathed, while the majority of spring cereals are still standing in the field. Soil moisture conditions are mostly rated as good to excellent at the surface level, and fair to good at the sub-surface level.

Crop growing conditions during the 2004 crop season in Alberta have generally improved, compared to the previous three years. Provincial average yields this year are expected to be significantly above the 10-year average for spring wheat, durum, barley and dry peas, and well above the 10-year average for oats and canola. However, the recent rain showers, frosts and snow have reduced crop quality. Crop lodging and sprouting in both standing and swathed crops are reported in many areas.

The second cut haying operation is about 30% complete on dryland, and 88% complete under irrigation. Hay quality varies, with the majority of hay being rated as poor to fair on dryland, and fair to good under irrigation. Some dryland producers are still trying to finish first cut operations. Pasture conditions are reported as 18% poor, 38% fair, 35% good, and 9% excellent.

Hail, frost and snow have caused crop losses in many areas. Due to the cool, wet weather conditions, grasshopper infestations this year were confined to a few local areas. Problems with flea beetles, lygus bugs, wireworms, gophers, and some crop diseases were also reported.

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 2004 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:

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

• Due to rain showers, harvest has been progressing slowly in most areas, and is estimated at 32% complete in the region. Yields (or yield prospects) for canola and spring cereals are well above the 10-year average.
• Loss in grain quality is expected from the cool, damp conditions. Sprouting in both standing and swathed crops, and crop damage from sawfly are reported in most areas of the region.
• The second cut haying operation is 88% complete, with hay quality being rated mostly as fair to good.
• Pasture conditions are rated as 13% poor, 35% fair, 43% good, and 9% excellent.

• Combining is only 3% complete in the region. However, over one half of canola and dry peas have been swathed. Most crops standing in the field are in good to excellent condition, and have good yield prospects.
• The second cut haying operation is over one-third complete. Hay quality is rated as 27% poor, 48% fair, 15% good, and 10% excellent.
• Pasture conditions are rated as 14% poor, 46% fair, 29% good, and 11% excellent.
• Sprouting in standing and swathed crops, and damage from hail, frost and sawfly are reported in the region.

• Harvest is delayed due to cool, wet conditions, and is estimated at only 1% complete in the region. About two-thirds of canola and 5% of spring cereals have been swathed. The majority of crops standing in the field are in good to excellent condition, and have good yield prospects.
• Crop lodging and damage from snow, hail and frost are reported. Grasshoppers and gophers have also caused crop damage in some areas.
• Pasture conditions are rated as 33% poor, 39% fair, 27% good, and 1% excellent. Some producers in the region are working on second cut haying operations.

• Rain showers and heavy wet snow are reported in the region. Harvest is hindered by the cool, wet weather conditions, and is estimated at only 3% complete in the region. The majority of 2004 crops in the bin are dry peas, winter cereals and barley.
• Yield prospects for crops in the field remain largely unchanged, though loss in grain quality is expected from rain showers and snow. Crop lodging, and sprouting in both standing and swathed crops are reported in most areas of the region.
• The second cut haying operation is 31% complete, with quality ranging from poor to good.
• Pasture conditions are rated as 12% poor, 32% fair, 45% good, and 11% excellent.

• Combining is only 3% complete in the region. About two-thirds of canola and 10% of spring cereals have been swathed. Crop yields are expected to be below the 10-year average for spring cereals, but higher than the 10-year average for canola.
• Due to excess moisture and heavy wet snow, crop lodging are common in the region. As a result, loss in grain quality is expected.
• Pasture conditions are rated as 18% poor, 39% fair, 31% good, and 12% excellent. Some producers have started second cut haying operations.