Crop Conditions as of August 22, 2017

Provincial dryland yields will be down 5-10% from their 5 year averages and 15-20% below 2016 (See Table #3). The South region has been the most affected by the weather this year resulting in dryland yield reductions of 25-30% from the 5 year average and 25-30% below last year. Significant reductions in quality are also noted. The expanding dry conditions in the Central region has projected yields down 10-15% below their 5 year averages and 20-25% below last year. Yields in the remainder of province are expected to be average to slightly above but 5-10% below last year.

2^nd cut dryland haying is well underway with 33% completed. The lack of good pasture in the South due to the drought is expected to force cow-calf producers to provide supplemental feed earlier than usual.

REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS:
The 2017 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:

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

• Dryland crop ratings of 34% good/excellent are well below both 5 year & long term averages of 75% good/exc.
• Harvest progress at 14% swathed & 36% combined versus 5 year average of 15% swathed & 15% harvested.
• Harvest is underway on irrigated special crops with early potatoes at 2% dug with average yields anticipated and dry beans at 45% undercut. No beans harvested at this time. Anticipating above average yield.
• No 2^nd cut dryland hay; 2^nd cut irrigated hay at 80% completed with very good quality & yield.
• 64% of pastures rated poor, 22% fair. 62% of hay fields rated poor; 23% fair.

• Crop condition ratings of 20% poor, 45% fair, 35% good in east portion; 20% poor, 35% fair, 45% good in central portion; 40% fair & 60% good in west part of the region.
• Harvest progress at 6% swathed & 3% combined compared to 5 year average of 9% swathed & 3% harvested.
• Harvest to date has been principally winter cereals (59% harvested) & field peas (24% harvested).
• Dryland 2^nd cut haying at 45% completed. 92% rated good/excellent for quality.
• 45% of pastures & 40% of hay land rated poor for growth.

• Crop condition ratings virtually unchanged from last week at 79% good or excellent.
• Harvest progress is minimal to date at 1% swathed and 1% combined compared to 5 year average of 8% swathed & 1% combined. Harvested crops to date are winter cereals (98%) and field peas (19%).
• Yields are projected to be 5-10% above their 5 year averages though approximately 5% under 2016.
• Dryland 2^nd cut hay is 18% completed with very good quality.
• Excessive soil moisture continues to be an issue in the region with a 28% rating.
• 80% of hay and pastures rated good or excellent.

• Crop condition ratings declined marginally.
• Harvest progress will be delayed this year due to late seeding and wet conditions this summer as many crops are yet 10-21 days away from being ready to harvest. Small amount of early seeded peas have been combined.
• Harvest progress of 0% swathed and 0% combined compared to 5 year average of 7% swathed & 2% combined. Yield estimates anticipate spring wheat yields will be average; barley, oat and canola yields will be 5% below average; field pea yields 10-15% below average. Yields will be approximately 10% below last year.
• Harvest of dryland 2^nd cut hay is 11% completed. Over 90% of the hay is rated good or excellent for quality.
• Surface soil moisture is rated 29% excessive.
• 82% of hay and pastures rated good or excellent.

• Crop condition ratings improved 2 points from last week to 61% rated good or excellent as warm, dry weather benefited crop development and dry down.
• The start to harvest is approximately a week later this year showing the effect of seeding delays this spring. 6% of crops have been swathed with 2% harvested versus the 5 year average of 16% swathed & 6% harvested.
• Current yield estimates are quite variable with spring wheat and field peas estimates slightly above average; canola yields estimated at 20% above average; barley & oat yields at 10% below average.
• Soil moisture conditions remain very good with both surface and sub soil moisture rated 75% good or excellent. Only 4% of region is rated as excessive.
• 75% of hay and pastures in the region are rated good or excellent.