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not a huge deal

Harvesting delayed by cooler, wetter weather

Sep 25, 2021 | 11:23 AM

Cool wet weather is to blame for varying delays in harvest activities this week across Alberta, according to the latest Crop Report.

Even with the delays, however, 78 per cent of major crops are in the bin, up 18 per cent of last week, and 31 per cent ahead of last year’s progress.

Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen) – per the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC)

• Harvest progress up 21 percentage points this week (second most of the five zones)

• Harvest is nearing completion with 85 per cent in the bin, significantly ahead of the five-year average of 38 per cent harvested. Ten per cent is currently in the swath.

• The dryland yield index rose slightly to 61 per cent from 59 per cent two weeks ago. Dryland yield estimates (irrigated in brackets) are currently 31 (70) bushels per acre on spring wheat, 10 on durum, 56 (95) on barley with 53 on oats. Canola estimates are 29 (60) bushels to the acre with peas at 25.

• Quality is very good despite the difficult growing season: 90 per cent of spring wheat and 96 per cent of durum is in the top two grades with 91 per cent of barley grading 1 CW or Malt and 84 per cent of oats in the top two grades. 90 per cent of canola is grading 1 CAN with 88 per cent of field peas in the top two grades. • Fall seeded crop condition is estimated as 63 per cent good or excellent.

• Pasture ratings are 30 per cent poor, 28 per cent fair, 41 per cent good and 1 per cent excellent.

• Surface soil moisture ratings (sub-surface in brackets) are 18 (29) per cent poor, 25 (28) per cent fair, 54 (38) per cent good and 3 (5) per cent excellent.