| | This information has been made available by Agriculture Financial Services Corporation.
The September 22, 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
The continuing warm, dry weather across the province has provided producers with the opportunity to make good harvest progress with the additional benefit of above average quality. Harvest is estimated to be 45% complete with large variations between regions due to the maturity delays caused by the cool early season weather. A further 25% of the acres have been swathed. Killing frosts have occurred across much of the Central and North East regions but have been localized in the North West and Peace regions. No killing frost has been reported in southern Alberta.
With the exception of southern Alberta, yield estimates have increased as more harvest occurs, and are above the 5 year long term average in all regions. The incidence of ergot is much higher this year which may require some producers to clean production prior to sale to maximize returns.
2011 Provincial Yield Estimates (bushels/acre)
Sub soil moisture ratings have declined due to the dry weather but remain above average at 3% poor; 28% fair; 50% good; 19% excellent.
Region One: South (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
Producers have been able to make good harvest progress with 72% completed and a further 15% in the swath. Yield estimates have declined due to the dry conditions experienced since late July but remain above long term averages. Quality is very good with 93% of the spring wheat and 92% of the durum grading 2 CW or higher. 90% of the barley is grading 1 CW or better and 89% of the canola is grading 1 Canada. Subsoil moisture is rated 10% poor; 52% fair; 36% good; 2% excellent.
Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
Harvest progress is estimated at 45% complete with a further 30% in the swath. Approximately 80% of the acres have been harvested in the east and declines to 25% complete in the west. Yield estimates have increased significantly as actual harvest information has become more available and are above long term averages. Quality is very good with 91% of the spring wheat and 98% of the durum grading 2 CW or better. 87% of the barley is grading 1 CW or better but only 79% of the canola is grading 1 Canada. Sub soil moisture ratings have declined but remain very good at 1% poor; 23% fair; 53% good; 23% excellent.
Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
Harvest is approximately 40% completed with a further 40% in the swath. A significant killing frost occurred on September 12 which has had an effect on quality due to the delayed maturity and uneven staging issues. Yield estimates have increased slightly with additional harvest information and are slightly above long term averages. Crop quality has been affected by the frost and may decline further with more information. Currently, 74% of the spring wheat is grading 2 CW or better with a further 15% grading 3 CW and 8% grading Canada Feed. The durum acreage was not affected by the frost with 100% grading 2 CW or better. 76% of the barley is grading 1 CW or better with 71% of the canola grading 1 Canada. Sub soil moisture has declined to 0% poor; 31% fair; 65% good; 4% excellent.
Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
Harvest has been slow to get underway due to delayed maturity and uneven staging. Approximately 19% of the acres have been harvested with a further 25% in the swath. Yield and quality is extremely variable across the region as a result of the growing season experienced. A frost on September 12 affected a portion of the region. Yield estimates have increased slightly since last report and are above long term averages. Quality may be a significant issue in the region this year as only 51% of the spring wheat is grading 2 CW or better with a further 21% grading 3 CW and a high percentage of 28% grading Canada Feed. 83% of the barley is grading 1 CW or better and 84% of the canola is grading 1 Canada. Sub soil moisture has declined slightly to 5% poor; 30% fair; 60% good; 5% excellent.
Region Five: Peace River (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
Harvest is slow to get underway with only 10% completed and a further 20% in the swath. Crops have been slow to reach maturity as a result of the cool, wet summer experienced in the south and central portions of the region. The lack of a wide spread killing frost to date has been very beneficial in getting the crops to maturity without significant damage. Yield estimates have increased slightly and are expected to be above average. Quality is very good to date due to the lack of a killing frost. 95% of spring wheat is grading 2 CW or better, 98% of barley is grading 1 CW or better while 99% of canola is grading 1 Canada. Sub soil moisture ratings are virtually unchanged at 0% poor; 5% fair; 33% good; 62% excellent.
Prepared by Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, in cooperation with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. For more information, please contact the writer, James Wright. |
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