| | Precipitation Map: April 1, 2004 to October 06, 2004
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Color and Black and White Maps - April 1 to October 06, 2004.pdf
Alberta producers took advantage of the generally warm, dry weather conditions, and made excellent progress in crop harvesting during the last two weeks. Provincially, about 73% of the 2004 crop is in the bin. In most years, Alberta producers finish harvest by the Thanksgiving weekend.
Across the province, harvest is most advanced in the Southern Region, at 91% complete, followed by the Central Region at 77%. Harvest is estimated at 66% complete in the North East Region, and 60% in the North West Region. In the Peace Region, combining is only 55% complete, the least advanced in the province. Estimates of provincial harvest progress by crop are: dry peas and durum wheat 91%, barley 77%, spring wheat 74%, canola 61%, and oats 57%.
Due to the generally improved crop growing conditions, provincial average yields for most crops in 2004 are expected to be higher than last year and the 10-year averages. However, adverse weather conditions early in the fall significantly reduced crop quality, especially in spring cereals in northern Alberta (including the Peace Region). Preliminary estimates indicate that the majority of spring wheat could be graded as 3CW or feed wheat. Supplies of milling oats and malt barley are expected to be tight this year. Most canola is likely to be graded as 1CW, although its quality was also impacted by the adverse weather conditions early in the fall. In many areas, green seed count in canola could be higher than expected.
The provincial average yield for tame hay is expected to be higher than the 10-year average. Hay quality ranges from poor to excellent, with better rating being reported for hay under irrigation. Pasture conditions are reported as 11% poor, 45% fair, 41% good, and 3% excellent. Fall seeded crops are mostly rated as fair to good. Weed infestations are reported in some areas. Soil moisture conditions are generally better than most years for this time of the year.
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)
- Warm, dry weather conditions allowed harvesting to progress rapidly during the last two weeks. Overall, harvest is estimated at 91% complete in the region. Yields for canola and spring cereals are estimated to be above the 10-year averages. Crop quality varies, with better grades being reported for cereals harvested earlier in the harvesting season.
- While harvesting of dry beans and potatoes is virtually complete, the majority of sugar beets are still in the field. Combining is estimated at about 75% complete for lentils and chickpeas, and 80% for mustard.
- The average hay yield is above the 10-year average, with quality being rated mostly as fair to good.
- Pasture conditions are reported as 16% poor, 38% fair, 43% good, and 3% excellent.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
- Crop harvesting is estimated at 77% complete in the region. By crop type, estimates of harvest progress are: dry peas 90%, durum wheat 88%, barley 79%, spring wheat 76%, canola 75%, and oats 70%.
- Crop yields vary widely across the region. Low yields are generally reported in eastern areas of the region, where dry conditions, sawfly and grasshoppers have caused severe crop damage.
- Fall seeded crops are reported as 1% poor, 16% fair, 53% good, and 30% excellent.
- Hay yields and quality vary across the region. Pasture conditions are rated as 7% poor, 52% fair, 32% good, and 9% excellent.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
- Crop harvesting progressed steadily during the last two weeks, and is estimated at 66% complete in the region. By crop type, estimates of harvest progress are: dry peas 97%, durum wheat 81%, spring wheat 71%, barley 70%, oats 59%, and canola 49%.
- Average to above average yields are expected for most major crops in 2004. However, adverse weather conditions early in the fall noticeably reduced crop quality, particularly in spring cereals.
- Hay yields vary across the region, with hay quality being rated mostly as poor to fair. Pasture conditions are reported as 3% poor, 30% fair, and 67% good.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
- Improved weather conditions during the last two weeks allowed crop harvesting to progress rapidly. Overall, harvest is estimated at 60% complete in the region. For most producers, at least another ten days of warm, dry weather is needed to get their crops off.
- While yields for spring cereals are mostly close to the 10-year averages, canola yield is expected to be significantly higher than the 10-year average. Rain showers and snow in September caused severe losses in crop quality. The majority of spring wheat is likely to be graded as 3CW or feed wheat, and only a small portion of barley is expected to make malt barley. However, canola quality has been impacted by the adverse weather conditions to a lesser extent, and could be graded mostly as 1CW.
- The average tame hay yield is close to the 10-year average, and hay quality varies, ranging mostly from poor to good. Pasture conditions are rated as 19% poor, 42% fair, and 39% good.
Region Five: Peace River (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
- Harvest is about 55% complete in the region. Crop yields vary across the region, with above average yields being reported in southern areas of the region. Crop damage by wildlife is reported in many areas.
- Excess moisture and heavy wet snow caused severe crop lodging and sprouting in swath. As a result, crop quality has deteriorated drastically. Spring wheat is generally reported as 3CW or feed, and supplies of milling oats and malt barley could be limited in the region. Canola quality varies, ranging from 1CW to 3CW.
- Pasture conditions are reported as 11% poor, 65% fair, 18% good, and 6% excellent. Tame hay yields are mostly above the 10-year average; hay quality ranges from poor to excellent.
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