Alberta Crop Report - August 26, 2010

The August 26, 2010 Crop Report is also available as a PDF file on the AFSC website.

Prepared by:
James Wright
Business Risk Management Division
Actuarial & Program Readiness
AFSC, Lacombe
Telephone: (403)782-8336

Provincial
Approximately 3% of the province has been harvested, principally the early maturing winter cereals (17% combined) and field peas (16% combined). A further 2% has been swathed consisting mainly of the winter cereals (11%) and canola (15%). Yields are anticipated to be above average in all areas with the exception of the Peace River region. Crop condition ratings have improved in the South and NW portions of the province and declined in the Central resulting in a slight improvement provincially.



Second cut dryland hay is 9% complete. 2^nd cut irrigated hay is 32% complete. Subsoil moisture ratings have declined slightly though remain very good at 21% poor/ 14% fair/ 46% good/ 18% excellent/ 1% excessive. Pasture/Hay ratings showed a slight decline to 15% poor/ 20% fair/ 48% good/ 17% excellent.

South Region
Crops continue to be 2 – 3 weeks delayed in development. Warm, dry weather predominated though isolated showers hampered hay harvest. 2% of the region has been harvested consisting principally of winter cereals (26%) and field peas (26%). A further 5% has been swathed, principally winter cereals (25%) and canola (14%). Above average yields are expected though early yields have been lower than initially anticipated. Subsoil moisture is rated 0% poor/ 10% fair/55% good/ 34% excellent/ 1% excessive.

2^nd cut dryland and irrigated hay is 16% and 35% completed respectively. Pasture/hay ratings declined slightly to 0% poor/ 12% fair/ 57% good/ 31% excellent

Central Region
Crop development continues to be 7 – 14 days delayed placing the crop under a significant frost risk. Harvest is beginning to get underway with winter cereals (4%) and field peas (2%). Approximately 3% has been swathed with winter cereals (7%) and most other crops at 2-3% swathed. Crop condition ratings declined significantly due to the continuing maturity delay for this time of the year. Precipitation across the region has improved subsoil moisture to 0% poor/ 7% fair/ 60% good/ 24% excellent.

2^nd cut dryland hay is 4% complete and 2^nd cut irrigated hay has not started. Pasture/hay ratings are 0% poor/ 29% fair/ 47% good/ 24% excellent.

North East Region
Frequent showers has slowed harvest and haying progress. Harvest is only beginning for the early maturing crops of winter cereals (2% combined) and field peas (1%). Approximately 1% has been swathed, principally winter cereals (6%) and canola (4%). Crop development remains 7 – 10 days behind normal with above average yields expected as moisture has been good during the growing season. Currently subsoil moisture is rated 5% poor/ 6% fair/ 73% good/ 14% excellent/ 2% excessive.

2^nd cut dryland hay is reported to be 9% completed. Pasture/hay ratings are 4% poor/ 13% fair/ 68% good/ 15% excellent.

North West Region
The region received frequent showers which has slowed the start to harvest. Harvest is getting underway with 4% of the winter cereals and 3% of the field peas in the bin. Little crop has been swathed to date with the exception being canola at 14%. Despite poor subsoil moisture ratings the entire crop year, the area continues to receive timely precipitation which has resulted in very good crop condition ratings and the expectation for above average yields. Subsoil moisture is rated 31% poor/ 34% fair/ 29% good/ 6% excellent.

2^nd cut dryland hay is reported as 11% completed. Pasture/hay ratings are 2% poor/ 26% fair/ 63% good/ 9% excellent.

Peace River Region
Harvest is well underway in most areas as crops have been forced to maturity early, due to the drought conditions experienced in the south and central areas of the region this summer. The region remains extremely dry though frequent spotty showers of late have been hampering harvesting operations. Harvest progress as follows:

• Spring Wheat – 17% combined (4% swathed)
• Barley – 14% combined (4% swathed)
• Canola – 3% combined (42% swathed)
• Field peas – 51% combined (8% swathed)