(rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

By AFSC/Government of Alberta

Conditions As Of Sept. 24, 2024

Alberta Crop Report: September 27

Sep 27, 2024 | 5:02 PM

Light showers around the Central Region have delayed some combining, but progress of 10 per cent was seen over the week and the region is now 83 per cent complete for harvest for major crops.

According to the latest Alberta Crop Report from Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) and the Government of Alberta, the crop yield index estimates crop yields are averaging 81.4 per cent of the 5-year average.

Nearly 90 per cent of hard red spring wheat, 100 per cent of durum wheat, and 58 per cent of oats are estimated to grade within the top two categories.

For barley, 41 per cent is eligible for Malt and 36 per cent is grading as 1 C.W. Canola shows promising results, with 88 per cent grading as 1 Can., and 7 per cent as 2 Can.

All regions across the province received precipitation which, while expected to improve soil moisture, delayed harvest progress over the past week. Harvest of pulse crops is nearing completion, while the harvest of spring wheat and barley are the current focus for most producers.

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Recent rains have reportedly lowered the quality expectations of unharvested cereal crops. Harvest of canola is progressing as weather permits, with producers finding themselves waiting for their crop to dry. Despite ongoing weather delays, harvest progress continues to exceed the long-term averages for this week in all regions.

Provincial harvest progress for major crops progressed to 74 per cent, an increase of 11 per cent over last week. Weekly provincial progress for major crops was 8 per cent for spring wheat, 8 per cent for barley, 13 per cent for oats, 18 per cent for canola, and 1 per cent for dry peas. The greatest harvest progress was made in the North West and Peace Regions, with slower progress reported in the South, Central and North East Regions.

Provincial crop quality updates for this week continue to indicate that a smaller proportion than average of the harvested crop is expected to be graded as the highest quality.

The proportion of the provincial crop estimated by grade (5-year average) for hard red spring wheat is 51 (55) per cent 1 C.W., 34 (37) per cent 2 C.W., and 11 (7) per cent 3 C.W.; for durum wheat is 42 (60) per cent 1 C.W., 29 (29) per cent 2 C.W., and 15 (8) per cent 3 C.W.; for barley 26 (32) per cent Malt, 46 (55) per cent 1 C.W., an 21 (12) 2 C.W.; for oats 32 (37) per cent 1 C.W, 40 (25) per cent 2 C.W., and 26 (37) per cent 3 C.W.; for canola 76 (90) per cent 1 Can., 14 (8) per cent 2 Can., and 7 (2) per cent 3 Can.; and for dry peas 11 (27) per cent 1 Can., 73 (59) per cent 2 Can., and 16 (12) per cent 3 Can.

Most dryland yield estimates for major crops have declined slightly since last reported two weeks ago, with the exception of oats. Provincial yield estimates in bushels per acre for major crops changed by -0.3 for spring wheat, -2.1 for barley, +0.5 for oats, -0.9 for canola, and -1.5 for dry peas. These updates have resulted in the major crops provincial yield index to be estimated at 2.9 per cent below the 5-year average and 7.4 per cent below the 10-year average. This represents a change since the last yield estimate update of -2.0 per cent in the 5-year yield index and -1.9 per cent in the 10-year yield index.

Widespread precipitation across the province has improved surface soil moisture conditions. Provincial surface soil moisture is at 50 per cent rated as good to excellent, an increase of 3 per cent over last week. This rating is near the historical good to excellent soil moisture rating averages for this week, with a 5-year average of 49 per cent and a 10-year average of 56 per cent.

Regional surface soil moisture ratings (weekly change) are 44 (+1) per cent in the South, 64 (+9) per cent in the Central, 50 (+3) per cent in the North East, 26 (+2) per cent in the North West and 61 (+2) per cent in the Peace. Frequent precipitation events combined with lower temperatures have continued to recharge sub-surface moisture with provincial good to excellent ratings reaching 32 per cent, a 5 per cent increase over last week. Provincial sub-surface soil moisture ratings remain below average for this week with the 5-year average at 45 per cent and the 10-year average at 51 per cent for comparison.

This week’s regional sub-surface moisture good to excellent ratings (weekly change) are 36 (+11) per cent in the South, 22 (+4) per cent in the Central, 31 (+2) per cent in the North East, 22 (+3) per cent in the North West and 63 (+1) per cent in the Peace.

Provincial pasture good to excellent growth conditions improved across the province to 34 per cent, an increase of 5 per cent. The improvement was mainly in the South, Central, and North East Regions, with ratings declining in the North West and Peace Regions.

Provincial dryland hay yields (5-year average) are estimated at 1.5 (1.4) tons per acre for the first cut and 0.9 (1.1) tons per acre for the second cut. Provincial irrigated hay yields (5-year average) are only reported for the South Region and are estimated at 2.6 (2.2) tons per acre for the first cut, 2.2 (1.6) tons per acre for the second cut, and 0.5 (0.7) tons per acre for the third cut.

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