Crop Conditions as of September 12, 2017 (Abbreviated Report)

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)

• Hot, dry and windy weather conditions over the past week provided good harvest conditions, allowing for another 18 percent of crops in the bin. Yields and grades are greatly varied. Considering the heat stress and dry conditions in some areas, yields are higher than what was expected earlier in the season.
• Regionally, only seven percent of crops are still standing (compared to the 5-year average of 28 percent), six percent swathed (compared to the 5-year average of 21 percent) and 87 percent combined (well above the 5-year average of 51 percent). While all dry peas are in the bin, about 96 percent of barley, 93 percent of spring wheat, 88 percent of oats and canola are either in swath or the bin.
• Surface soil moisture conditions (sub-surface soil ratings in the brackets) are rated as 66 (54) percent poor, 26 (28) percent fair and eight (18) percent good.

• Dry weather throughout the last week was beneficial for harvest progress. However, dry conditions and heat stress are still affecting late seeded crops as well as forages. Some producers are waiting for rain to cure out green seeds in canola fields.
• The Central Region has 58 percent of crops harvested (well above the 5-year average of 23 percent), 21 percent in swath (compared to the 5-year average of 28 percent) and 21 percent still standing (compared to the 5-year average of 49 percent). About 98 percent of dry peas, 80 percent of canola, 78 percent of spring wheat, 74 percent of barley and 62 percent of oats are either harvested or swathed.
• Surface soil moisture conditions (sub-surface soil ratings in the brackets) are rated as 47 (41) percent poor, 29 (33) percent fair, 21 (23) percent good and three (three) percent excellent.

• Warm dry weather conditions over the past week put harvest operations into full swing. However, there are still some fields with green and immature crops which could be vulnerable to frost.
• In the North East Region, 25 percent of crops have been harvested (in line with the 5-year average of 25 percent), with 22 percent in the swath (compared to the 5-year average of 38 percent) and 53 percent still standing (compared to 5-year average of 37 percent). About 90 percent of dry peas, 57 percent of canola, 37 percent of spring wheat, 31 percent of barley and 26 percent of oats are either in swath or in the bin.
• Surface soil moisture conditions (sub-surface soil ratings in the brackets) are rated as six (two) percent poor, 12 (eight) percent fair, 36 (20) percent good, 45 (66) percent excellent and one (four) percent excessive.

• Harvest operations were underway in most areas of the Region, but was halted for a day or two due to rain showers. Dry peas harvest was slightly advanced, while there are many standing and immature fields that can be affected by frost.
• Overall, 69 percent of crops are still standing (compared to the 5-year average of 47 percent), 21 percent in swath (compared to the 5-year average of 35 percent) and 10 percent harvested (behind the 5-year average of 18 percent). Nearly 76 percent of dry peas, 43 percent of canola, 19 percent of spring wheat and 16 percent of both barley and oats have been either combined or swathed.
• Surface soil moisture conditions (sub-surface soil ratings in the brackets) are rated as 16 (zero) percent poor, seven (20) percent fair, 21 (53) percent good, 55 (25) percent excellent and one (two) percent excessive.

• Precipitation over the last weekend has slowed down harvest operations. Regionally, 17 percent of crops have been combined (behind the 5-year average of 35 percent), 17 percent in swath (compared to the 5-year average of 31 percent) and 66 percent still standing (compared to the 5-year average of 34 percent). About 44 percent of dry peas, 39 percent of canola, 27 percent of spring wheat, 20 percent of oats and 19 percent of barley have been either combined or swathed.
• Surface soil moisture conditions (sub-surface soil ratings in the brackets) are rated as four (five) percent poor, 15 (18) percent fair, 45 (44) percent good, 33 (30) percent excellent and three (three) percent excessive.