Glacier FarmMedia – Heavy rains in the northern half of Alberta as well as dry conditions in the southern half, delayed harvest progress during the week ended Aug. 19, said the province’s weekly crop report.
Alberta’s harvest for major crops was at 2.3 per cent as of Aug. 19, below the five-year average of eight per cent. The south saw the most progress at 6.4 per cent, followed by the Peace region at 3.6 per cent. The remaining regions have harvested less than one per cent of their crops.
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The dry pea crop was 16.7 per cent combined provincewide, with barley at 3.2 per cent and spring wheat at 1.1 per cent. The oats and canola harvest were both less than one per cent complete.
In total, 64 per cent of Alberta’s crops were rated as good to excellent, well above the five-year average of 50 per cent. The central region was rated the highest at 93 per cent, while the northwest was at 69 per cent, the south at 63 and the northeast at 60. The Peace region was rated at 26 per cent.
Major cereal crops approached the end of dough development and are expected to ripen in the coming weeks.
Surface soil moisture in Alberta was rated at 62.6 per cent good to excellent, surpassing the five-year average of 40.7 per cent. The central region led with 89 per cent, while the northwest was at 54 per cent and the south was at 53 per cent. The Peace region was at 51.1 per cent and the northeast region was at 50.3 per cent.
Sub-surface soil moisture was rated at 55 per cent good to excellent across the province, compared to the 41 per cent five-year average. The central region was at 81 per cent and the Peace region was at 52 per cent. The south was at 46 per cent, the northeast was at 45 per cent and the northwest was at 37 per cent.
Pasture growth conditions were stable compared to the previous week at 54.8 per cent good to excellent, above the five-year average of 39 per cent. The central region was rated the best at 86 per cent, while the south was at 48 per cent. The northwest was at 40 per cent, the Peace region was at 28 per cent and the northeast was at 25 per cent.
Despite cooler temperatures slowing tame hay growth in some areas, second-cut hay progressed well with good yields and high quality in places with sufficient soil moisture. Conditions in Alberta were 45 per cent good to excellent, on track with the five-year average. The central region had the highest rating at 80 per cent. Meanwhile, the south region was at 44 per cent, the northwest region was at 42 per cent, the Peace region was at 25 per cent and the northeast was at 16 per cent.
