Crop Conditions as of September 6, 2016

Preliminary dryland yield remained similar to two weeks ago with the provincial yield index up 11.6 index points from the 5-year average. Provincially, dryland yield (5-year averages shown in brackets) are estimated at 51.9 (46.0) bushels per acre for spring wheat, 71.6 (64.8) bushels per acre for barley, 83.3 (76.6) bushels per acre for oats, 42.3 (37.7) bushels per acre for canola and 44.9 (42.7) bushels per acre for dry peas (See Table 2). Average yields for potato are estimated at 13.0 and 16.5 tons per acre, respectively, for dryland and irrigated fields.

Provincially, second cut hay is 53 (48) per cent complete in dryland and 59 (52) per cent in irrigated fields. Preliminary average yield on dryland is estimated at 1.3 (0.9) tons per acre, with quality of the first cut rated at 61 (69) per cent good to excellent. Irrigated hay yield is reported at 1.5 (1.4) tons per acre and quality rated as 45 (65) per cent good to excellent.


REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS:
The 2016 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:

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

• Rain showers last week slowed down harvest operations, but combining is progressing between showers. Although yields are estimated to be higher than normal, there are some quality issues for grains (due to bleaching) as well as hay.
• While 47 per cent of crops are still standing and 16 per cent swathed, harvest has progressed to 37 per cent combined. About 43 per cent of canola, 58 per cent of spring wheat, 46 per cent of barley and 63 per cent of oats are standing, while 92 per cent of winter wheat, 97 per cent of rye and 91 per cent of peas are in the bin.
• Completion rate for second cut haying operations are 79 and 87 per cent for dryland and irrigated land, respectively, with 52 per cent and 61 per cent rated as good to excellent quality. Preliminary average yield on dryland is estimated at 1.0 ton per acre and 1.9 tons per acre on irrigated.
• Pasture conditions are reported nine per cent poor, 33 per cent fair, 49 per cent good and nine per cent excellent.

• Harvest operations have been challenging due to wet weather. Some hot and dry weather is needed to get harvesting back in full swing. Yields are above average, but quality could deteriorate, if showers continue.
• Overall, about 80 per cent of the crops are still standing, with 13 per cent swathed and seven per cent combined. About 60 per cent of both winter wheat and rye, 56 per cent of dry peas and 77 per cent of chickpeas are in the bin, while 92 per cent of spring wheat, 89 per cent of barley, and 67 per cent of canola are still standing.
• Second cut haying operations are 64 per cent complete for dryland and 25 per cent for irrigated land. Average yield on dryland is estimated at 1.6 tons per acre, while irrigated is 1.1 tons per acre. Quality is poor due to wet conditions and rated at 57 per cent good to excellent for dryland and 25 per cent good for irrigated.
• Pastures are in great shape and rated at 33 per cent fair, 52 per cent good and 15 per cent excellent.

• Harvest progress was minimal this past week, due to constant showers and damp conditions. Late seeded crops are maturing very slowly. A lot of producers will straight cut canola and wheat this year. Peas are flat to the ground in some fields. Also, geese have been a concern for pea producers.
• About 65 per cent of crops are standing, with 26 per cent swathed and nine per cent harvested. All of winter wheat and rye and 67 per cent of dry peas are in the bin, while 84 per cent of both spring wheat and barley, 91 per cent of oats and 44 per cent of canola are still standing. Nearly 54 per cent of canola are in swath.
• Haying and baling progress are slow. Second cut haying operations are 30 per cent complete. Average yield is estimated at 1.4 tons per acre with quality rated at 79 per cent good to excellent.
• Pasture conditions are rated at eight per cent fair, 76 per cent good and 16 per cent excellent.

• Regular rainfall in the Region has kept harvest from progressing. Second growth from lodged crops are reported in some fields. Barley and wheat are ready to be swathed or straight cut, but producers are waiting for drier weather. Despite the challenges, harvest yields for cereals are reported to be above normal.
• Overall, 81 per cent of crops are still standing, 15 per cent in swath and four per cent harvested. Nearly 39 per cent of dry peas are in the bin and 31 per cent of canola swathed. Still standing are 100 per cent of oats, 96 per cent of spring wheat, 94 per cent of barley and 66 per cent of canola.
• Second cut hay is only 14 per cent complete, with the average yield estimated at 1.0 ton per acre and quality rated at 52 per cent good to excellent.
• Pasture conditions are rated as five per cent poor, 38 per cent fair, 56 per cent good and one per cent excellent.

• Sporadic rain showers have delayed harvest. Frost over the weekend was reported in almost all counties.
• Overall, about nine per cent of the crops have been combined, 31 per cent in swath and 60 per cent still standing. About 53 per cent of peas are in the bin, 57 per cent of canola is in swath and, and 85 per cent of spring wheat, 90 per cent of both barley and oats and 41 per cent of canola are still standing.
• Pasture are reported as one per cent poor, 25 per cent fair, 54 per cent good and 20 per cent excellent.