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Following the cool, damp conditions in October, the sunny weather with above seasonal temperatures in November has allowed many producers to wrap up crop harvest for the year. Provincially, about 98 percent of the crop is now in the bin, compared to 91 percent on October 8, when the last crop reporting survey was conducted. Crops still in the field are mostly canola, although some cereals, flaxseed, and sugar beets remain to be harvested. The Peace Region lags behind, with 11 percent of canola in swath, mostly covered by snow. As well, there is ten percent of canola in swath in the Kitscoty/Bonnyville/St. Paul area. Table 1 below presents estimates of crop harvest progress in the province, by region.
Much of the recently harvested grains were taken off with a high moisture content, and needed to be dried. The quality of these grains is also lower, compared to those combined earlier. Overall, grade estimates for spring cereals are mostly favorable, while high green seed counts have lowered the quality of canola. Based on the preliminary results of early samples of the 2009 crop in the bin, nearly 82 percent of hard red spring wheat and 88 percent of durum could be graded as No. 1 or No. 2. About 20 percent of barley could be of malt quality, while 76 percent of canola could be graded as No. 1. For crops still in the field, there will likely be some quality deterioration, with the expectation of most cereals to be harvested as feed grains or forages.
Despite crop yields being higher than anticipated, provincial average yields are estimated to be significantly below their 10-year averages for cereals and dry peas. For canola, the provincial average yield is slightly below average. Crop yields are markedly below average in many areas of the North East and North West Regions, and eastern parts of the Central Region.
Tame hay production this year is estimated to be significantly below the 10-year average, mainly as a result of the cool, dry spring and the lack of precipitation during much of the summer. This has contributed to a shortage of forage and feed grain supplies in some areas, notably in the North East and North West Regions, and eastern parts of the Central Region. Overall, forage reserves are reported as 21 percent deficit, 27 percent possible shortfall, 49 percent adequate, and three percent surplus, while the rating of feed grain reserves is 11 percent deficit, 20 percent possible shortfall, 60 percent adequate, and nine percent surplus. Some annual crops with poor yields have been salvaged for forage production, and this has helped compensate for the lower tame hay production this year.
Winter cereals seeded this fall are rated mostly as poor to good. Also, dry conditions remain largely unchanged in most areas of the province, despite the snow and rain received in October. Overall, surface moisture is reported as 43 percent poor, 39 percent fair, and 18 percent good, while the rating of sub-surface moisture is 59 percent poor, 30 percent fair, and 11 percent good.
Please note that this is the last Alberta Crop Report for the 2009 crop season.
Our thanks to Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen, staff of AFSC and the Alberta Ag-Info
Centre for their partnership and contribution to the Alberta Crop Reporting Program.
REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS:
The 2009 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:
Region One: Southern (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
- The sunny weather with above seasonal temperatures in November has allowed producers to wrap up crop harvest for the year, with the exception of sugar beets at about 70 percent complete.
- Crop yields vary significantly across the region. Overall, yields for most major and specialty crops are estimated to be below average to average. With respect to quality, grade estimates for major crops are generally favorable. Condition of winter cereals seeded this fall ranges mostly from fair to good.
- Forage reserves in the region are reported as seven percent deficit, 27 percent possible shortfall, 59 percent adequate, and seven percent surplus, while the rating of feed grain reserves is four percent deficit, 12 percent possible shortfall, 52 percent adequate, and 32 percent surplus.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
- Crop harvest is estimated at 98 percent complete in the region. Some of the recently harvested crops were taken off damp and tough, and needed to be dried. Crops still in the field are mostly canola with high green seed counts. Conditions of winter cereals seeded this fall range from poor to good.
- Overall, yield estimates for major crops are significantly below their 10-year averages, despite yields being higher than anticipated. Due to poor yields, some annual crops have been salvaged for forage production.
- A shortage of forage and feed grain supply is being reported for eastern parts of the region, mainly as a result of low production this year. Overall, forage reserves are rated as 25 percent deficit, 30 percent possible shortfall, 41 percent adequate, and four percent surplus, while feed grain reserves are reported as 18 percent deficit, 23 percent possible shortfall, 56 percent adequate, and three percent surplus.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
- Crop harvest is estimated at nearly 98 percent complete. Many producers are drying the recently harvested grains, as these crops were taken off with a high moisture content. With respect to those crops still in the field, producers are still planning to harvest canola, while most cereals are likely to be taken off as forages or used for grazing. In the Kitscoty/Bonnyville/St. Paul area, there is about ten percent of canola in the field.
- Overall, estimated crop yields are significantly below 10-year averages, despite yields being higher than anticipated. With respect to quality, grade estimates are about average for cereals, but below average for canola.
- Forage reserves in the region are reported as 24 percent deficit, 27 percent possible shortfall, 42 percent adequate, and seven percent surplus, while the rating of feed grain reserves is 17 percent deficit, 24 percent possible shortfall, 56 percent adequate, and three percent surplus.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
- The sunny weather with above seasonal temperatures in November has allowed most producers to wrap up harvest for the year. Overall, nearly 98 percent of the crop is now in the bin. Crops still in the field are mostly canola.
- Crop yields in most areas are estimated to be significantly below their 10-year averages. With respect to crop quality, grade estimates are about average for cereals, but below average for canola.
- Forage reserves in the region are rated as 40 percent deficit, 37 percent possible shortfall, and 23 percent adequate, while feed grain reserves are reported as 17 percent deficit, 39 percent possible shortfall, 40 percent adequate, and four percent surplus.
Region Five: Peace River (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
- Crop harvest is estimated at 92 percent complete in the region. Compared to other crops, canola harvest lags behind at 89 percent complete. Many areas have reported crops being covered by snow, particularly in the western half of the region, where 10-20 percent of canola and 5-10 percent of cereals remain in the field.
- Overall, crop yields are estimated to be similar to the 10-year average for canola, but below average for cereals. Quality estimates for cereals and canola range from below average to average.
- Forage reserves in the region are rated as eight percent deficit, 11 percent possible shortfall, 80 percent adequate, and one percent surplus, while feed grain reserves are generally adequate.
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