Crop Conditions as of September 16, 2014

Cool weather, rainfall and snow early last week temporarily halted harvesting operations across the province. Most of the province received rain, from 5 mm in the central Peace Region to over 70 mm across the south west part of the Central Region. In addition, some areas reported upwards of 20 cm of snow on the ground, especially in the South, Central and North West Regions. Areas in the Peace and North East Regions have received temperatures down to -6°C. A few areas are reporting loss in crop quality due to the excessive moisture and frost, but it is still too early to know the total impact.

More recently warm and dry weather conditions over the past few days have allowed producers to resume harvesting operations. Provincially, 26 per cent of the crop has been harvested, while 34 per cent is still in swath, and 40 per cent remains standing (see Table 1). Harvest in the Southern Region is 32 per cent complete, with 30 per cent of crops in swath. The Central Region has 18 per cent of crops harvested and 33 per cent in swath. In the North East Region, 20 per cent of crops have been harvested, with 43 per cent in swath, while the North West Region reported 10 per cent harvested and 44 per cent in swath. The Peace Region reported 48 per cent harvested and 29 per cent in swath.

Tame hay and pasture growth is rated as 42 per cent good to excellent, down 10 per cent from a week ago.

Provincially, sub-soil and surface soil moisture reserves in the province have not changed and are rated as 61 per cent and 69 per cent good to excellent, respectively (see Table 2).

Our thanks to Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen, staff of AFSC and the Alberta Ag-Info Centre for their partnership and contribution to the Alberta Crop Reporting Program.

REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS:
The 2014 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:

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

• Rain, snow and cool weather earlier last week postponed harvest operations. Precipitation was heaviest just northwest of Calgary with up to 80 mm of precipitation and 20 cm of snow in some areas.
• ·With the warm and dry weather during the past few days, producers now continue to make good progress on harvest operations. Overall, about 32 per cent of cereals are in the bin compared to 24 per cent last week. About 22 per cent of canola is still standing, with 50 per cent swathed and 28 per cent in the bin. About half of spring wheat is still standing and dry peas are 87 per cent harvested.
• ·Tame hay and pasture are rated as 42 per cent good to excellent, down 10 per cent from a week ago.
• ·Sub-soil moisture conditions in the province have improved and are rated as 73 per cent good to excellent, a six per cent increase from a week ago.

• The cool weather, rain and snow brought harvest to a temporary halt. However, with the recent warm and dry weather, harvest is in full progress again. A few areas are reporting loss in crop quality, particularly for wheat.
• Almost 18 per cent of the crop is already in the bin, compared to less than 13 per cent a week ago. About 22 per cent of canola is standing, with 55 per cent swathed and 23 per cent harvested. Over 60 per cent of spring wheat is still standing and dry peas are 84 per cent harvested.
• The condition of pasture and tame hay has not changed from a week ago and remain at about 60 per cent in good to excellent.
• Sub-surface moisture conditions are rated as 73 good to excellent, down three per cent from a week ago.

• Rain, snow and cool weather earlier last week have halted harvest operations. However, with the recent warm weather harvest is in full swing again. Earlier reports of grade reduction due to frost and snowfall on cereal crops have been confirmed.
• Overall, about 20 per cent of the crop has now been combined, compared to 13 per cent a week ago. About nine per cent of canola is standing, with 72 per cent swathed and 19 per cent in the bin. Nearly 67 per cent of wheat is still standing and dry peas are 95 per cent harvested.
• Pasture and tame hay conditions are reported as 42 per cent and 39 per cent good to excellent condition, respectively.
• Sub-surface moisture is rated as 77 per cent good to excellent, up two per cent from a week ago.

• Showers and snowfall earlier last week have delayed crop harvest in most areas of this region. Grades on some crops may be effected due to the frost.
• More recent warm and dry weather conditions have allowed producers to resume harvesting operations. Overall, about 10 per cent of crops are in the bin, compared to six percent a week ago. About four per cent of canola has been combined, with 85 per cent in swath and 11 per cent standing. About 77 per cent of spring wheat is still standing and dry peas are 93 per cent harvested.
• The condition of pasture and tame hay has continued to decline and is now reported as 11 per cent in good to excellent.
• Sub-surface soil moisture ratings remain low, with only 42 per cent rated as good to excellent.

• Cool weather, rainfall and snow early last week temporarily delayed harvest across the region. Some areas in the north westerly part of this region have received temperatures down to - 6°C. Loss in crop quality due to frost and snow has been reported.
• The recent warm and dry weather conditions have allowed producers to continue with harvesting operations. Overall, about 48 per cent of crops are in the bin, compared to 41 per cent a week ago. About 11 per cent of canola is still standing, with 46 per cent swathed and 43 per cent combined. About 34 per cent of spring wheat is still standing and dry peas are 96 per cent harvested.
• Pasture and tame hay are rated as 36 per cent good to excellent, unchanged from a week ago.
• Sub-surface moisture is rated at 35 per cent good to excellent, down three per cent from a week ago.