Alberta Crop Report - August 25, 2011

The August 25, 2011 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
Hot, dry weather experienced over the past 2 weeks has crops quickly approaching maturity. Early harvest operations have gotten underway in the South, Central and Peace regions principally, with 4.8% of the province swathed and 1.5% combined. In 2010, 2.1% of the province had been combined. Historically, 9.1% of the province has been combined by this time. Crop condition ratings have declined slightly since last report but over 75% of the cereals and field peas and 65% of the canola continues to be rated as good or excellent. Yield expectations have declined slightly on reductions in the South and Peace regions but remain at 5 – 10% above historical averages.

Provincial Harvest Progress (% Swathed & Combined)


Sub soil moisture ratings have declined slightly though 83% of the province continues to be rated as good/excellent. Current ratings are < 1% poor; 13% fair; 42% good; 41% excellent; 4% excessive.

Provincial Crop Condition Ratings (% Rated Good/Excellent)

Producers are finally nearing the completion of 1^st cut hay harvest in northerly areas. The delays experienced in harvesting the first cut and the drier weather in August will negatively affect the ability of dryland producers to harvest a 2^nd cut in many areas. Hay/Pasture ratings are 3% poor; 23% fair; 45% good; 29% excellent.

Region One: South (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
Following a cool wet spring, dry conditions have been the rule for much of the growing season. Harvest is underway with 8.5% of the crop swathed and 3.5% combined. In 2010, 2.3% of the crops had been harvested while historically, 17% of crops would be harvested by late August. The continuing dry conditions have resulted in a reduction in expected yield across all crops though yield estimates remain above long term averages. Despite the dry conditions, crop growth ratings of good/excellent remain at 85% or better for all crops.

Pasture and hay growth continues to be rated highly with 82% rated in good/excellent condition. 2^nd cut dryland hay harvest is 40% complete though the number of acres has been severely reduced by the dry weather. 2nd cut irrigated hay is nearly 50% completed.

Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
Harvest has started in the eastern and central portions of the region. It is estimated that 6.2% of the region has been swathed with a further 1.6% combined. In 2010, only 0.2% of the region had been combined. Historically, approximately 6.6% of the region is combined by this time in August. Crop condition ratings have declined but remain high with over 90% rated good/excellent. Crop yield projections have increased slightly with much above average yields expected especially in the eastern and central areas.

A small amount of 2^nd cut hay is expected to be harvested in the region. Currently, 20% of the 2^nd cut hay has been harvested. Hay/Pasture ratings have declined significantly over the past 2 week period to 6% poor; 32% fair; 31% good; 31% excellent due to the hot dry weather.

Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
A very small amount of harvest has occurred to date. Approximately 1.6% of the region has been swathed with 0.2% harvested. In 2010, 0.1% had been harvested while the historical average for late August is 5.3% combined. Crop condition ratings have declined slightly with 65 – 75% of crops rated good/excellent. Second growth is a problem in some areas due to the effects of the weather this year. Yield projections have remained virtually unchanged with an average to slightly above average yield anticipated.

Pasture/Hay growth ratings have declined to 6% poor; 30% fair; 49% good; 15% excellent. Producers are finally cleaning up 1^st cut hay which will impact their opportunity to get a 2^nd cut due to the lateness.

Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
Crops are late and virtually no harvest has started at this time with less than 0.1% swathed and no combining reported. In 2010, combining was only 0.4% completed while historically, the region would be 4.1% combined for this period. Crop condition ratings are unchanged over the past two week period with 55 – 60% of cereals and field peas and 40% of canola rated good/excellent. Crop yield projections are unchanged with an above average crop expected.

Producers continue to be hampered by scattered showers, delaying completion of their 1^st cut hay harvest which will ultimately affect yield and timing of a 2^nd cut crop. Hay/Pasture conditions have declined to 1% poor; 25% fair; 55% good; 19% excellent.

Region Five: Peace River (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
A small amount of harvest has begun, principally in the north portion of the region which had incurred drier conditions this summer. Much of the south and central portions will require a further 10 – 14 days of frost free weather in order to reach maturity due to the cool, wet conditions experienced this year. To date, 3.2% of the region has been swathed with 0.2% combined. In 2010, combining was 11.2% completed at this time. Historically, 7.9% of the region would be harvested by this time. Crop condition ratings have declined slightly with 55 – 60% rated good/excellent. Yield projections have declined significantly in the past 2 weeks due to the continuing effects of the wet weather in late July/early August and the lateness of the crop to escape significant frost damage. Yield projections have declined to an average crop.

A small amount of 2^nd cut hay has been harvested with 11% completed. Hay/Pasture ratings have declined to 2% poor; 12% fair; 33% good; 53% excellent.

Prepared by Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, in cooperation with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. For more information, please contact the writer, James Wright.