Harvest virtually complete throughout central Alberta

Pasture growth conditions are rated 51 per cent poor, 45 per cent fair, 5 per cent good, and 0 per cent excellent.

Forage and feed grain reserves are rated 96 per cent and 98 per cent adequate to surplus, respectively.

According to the report, hot, dry weather through late summer and into fall supported a rapid harvest pace. Regionally, harvest is effectively complete in the North West and Peace, with the South, Central, and North East at 99 per cent and expected to finish within a week.

Major crops such as spring wheat, barley, dry peas, oats, and canola have reached 99 to 100 per cent completion provincially. Provincially, fall-seeded crop quality has declined 2 per cent this week to 32 per cent rated good to excellent, below the 5-year average of 54 per cent.

Regionally, good to excellent ratings held steady in the South, improved by 4 and 11 per cent each in the North East and North West regions, but declined in the Central region by 14 per cent. Regional fall-seeded crop quality rated good to excellent (5-year average) is 51 (56) per cent in the South Region, 16 (56) per cent in the Central Region, 11 (51) per cent in the North East Region, and 26 (58) per cent in the North West Region. The Peace Region did not report any fall-seeded crops this year.

Sporadic rainfall and light snow across parts of the province were insufficient to improve soil moisture, which continues to decline in most regions. Provincially, surface moisture conditions declined slightly to 16 per cent good to excellent, below the 5-year average of 40 per cent.

Regionally, surface moisture conditions rated good to excellent (5-year average) are at 22 (22) per cent in the South, 9 (46) per cent in the Central, 7 (39) per cent in the North East, 22 (55) per cent in the North West, and 29 (61) per cent in the Peace.

Similarly, provincial sub-surface moisture conditions rated good to excellent remain relatively stable at 18 per cent, below the 5-year average of 37 per cent. Regional good to excellent ratings for sub-surface soil moisture (5-year average) is at 23 (19) per cent in the South, 13 (37) per cent in the Central, 10 (42) per cent in the North East, 19 (56) per cent in the North West, and 30 (60) per cent in the Peace.

Most parts of the province are entering winter with dry soil conditions. Average or higher winter snowfall as well as spring precipitation will be needed to replenish soil moisture and support crop and forage growth in the coming season.

Pasture conditions continue to decline due to early frosts and dry soils, which have caused damage in some regions. Most producers had already begun moving cattle off pastures and feeding livestock at home.

Provincial pasture with good to excellent growth conditions decreased by 2 per cent to 15 per cent, below the 5-year average of 29 per cent. Regional good to excellent pasture conditions (5-year average) are at 29 (24) per cent in the South, 5 (35) per cent in the Central, 1 (20) per cent in the North East, 14 (32) per cent in the North West, and 27 (40) per cent in the Peace.

Feed supply is mostly adequate, with some livestock producers having surplus. Provincially, forage reserves are still rated at 10 per cent deficit, 19 per cent possible shortfall, 62 per cent adequate, and 9 per cent surplus. The feed grain reserves are rated at 3 per cent deficit, 9 per cent possible shortfall, 76 per cent adequate, and 12 per cent surplus.

by rdnewsNOW staff

Harvest virtually complete throughout central Alberta

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