Crop Conditions as of November 3, 2011

Provincially it is estimated that 99 per cent of the crop is now in the bin, compared with 91 per cent two weeks ago. Producers in the Peace and North West Regions have made good progress since the last report, and are now estimated to be 97 per cent and 98 per cent complete, respectively. This compares to 60 per cent in Peace Region and 83 per cent in North West Region two weeks ago. Overall, provincial average yields are estimated to be above their 10-year averages, with quality reported as mostly good. There have been reports in some areas of ergot in wheat and high green seed count in canola.

The condition of fall seeded crops is reported as 40 per cent good, 19 per cent excellent, 31 per cent fair and 10 per cent poor.

Provincially, feed supplies are anticipated to be very good. Stores of forages are estimated as adequate to surplus, with very few producers anticipating a shortfall. Feed grain reserves are also adequate to surplus, with no shortfall expected.

	Provincially, surface moisture is rated at 26 per cent poor, 42 per cent fair, 25 per cent good and seven per cent excellent. Sub-surface moisture is rated at 11 per cent poor, 37 per cent fair, 39 per cent good and 13 per cent excellent.

• Virtually all the 2011 crop is in the bin, with only a very small amount of late seeded crops just being finished up. Yields for major crops are estimated to be near or above average, and quality is mostly good. The sugar beet harvest has just been completed, with good yields and excellent sugar content.
• Feed supplies in the region are very good, with stores of both forage and feed grains expected to be adequate to surplus.
• Surface moisture is rated at 28 per cent poor, 41 per cent fair, and 31 per cent in the good to excellent range. Sub-surface moisture is rated at 11 per cent poor, 45 per cent fair and 44 per cent good to excellent. Four per cent of fall seeded crops are in poor condition, with 18 per cent fair and 78 per cent good to excellent.

• With the exception of a few fields of cereal crops, and some hail and frost damaged canola with high green seed counts, harvest is complete in the region. Overall, yields are estimated to be above their 10-year averages, and quality is good.
• There are ample supplies of hay and feed grains in the region, with both forage stores and feed grains expected to be adequate to surplus.
• Soil moisture ratings have declined, with sub-surface moisture now rated at 15 per cent poor, 31 per cent fair, 40 per cent good, and 14 per cent excellent. Fall seeded crops are reported as six per cent in poor condition, 44 per cent in fair condition, and 50 per cent in good to excellent condition..

• Harvest is pretty well wrapped up in the region, with only a few fields delayed by hail damage and some immature patches of canola remaining. Heavy frost and rain showers in the northeast part of the region have resulted in recently harvested grains having to be dried. Yields for major crops in the region are estimated to be above average, and quality is good.
• Feed supplies are mostly good in the region. Most producers expect to have adequate stores of forage and feed grains; however there are some areas which may have a shortfall.
• Surface moisture in the region is estimated as 33 per cent poor, 46 per cent fair, 20 per cent good to excellent, and one per cent excessive. Sub-surface moisture reserves are reported as 19 per cent poor, 37 per cent fair, 37 per cent good, and seven per cent excellent. Fall seeded crops are reported as 30 per cent poor, 48 per cent fair, and 22 per cent good.

• Harvest is now 98 per cent complete in the region, with maturity of the remaining cereals and canola delayed due to re-growth from earlier hail and flood damage. Heavy frost and scattered showers have slowed combining in northern areas and caused crops to be in tough and damp condition. Overall, estimated crop yields are above average, with varying quality. Ergot is reducing wheat grades for some producers.
• Feed supplies in the region are very good, with stores of both forage and feed grains expected to be adequate to surplus.
• Sub-surface moisture conditions have declined since the last report, to 10 per cent poor, 56 per cent fair, 32 per cent good and two per cent excellent. Very little fall seeded crop was planted this year.

• Harvest has progressed quickly throughout the region, which is now 97 per cent complete, compared to 60 per cent two weeks ago. Much of the grain harvested in the last two weeks is in tough and damp condition, and some producers are waiting for lower green counts in canola before combining. Yields for major crops in the region are estimated to be mostly above average, and quality is good.
• Feed supplies in the region are good, with stores of both forage and feed grains expected to be adequate to surplus.
• Strong winds have been drying up surface moisture, and sub-surface moisture conditions have declined slightly to 15 per cent fair, 46 per cent good, and 39 per cent excellent. Fall seeded crops are in excellent condition.