Harvest has started across Alberta for fall-seeded crops, pulses and some early-seeded spring cereals with yields falling below five and 10-year averages, the August 10 provincial crop report says.
Provincially, the estimated dryland five-year yield index is 58.7 per cent, indicating yields are below the five-year averages by 41 per cent. The five-year yield index is the best in the north west region, followed by the Peace, the release notes. The lowest yields have been reported in the south.
Harvest across the province is four per cent done. Sixty-two per cent of fall rye, 44 per cent of winter wheat, 32 per cent of lentils, 19 per cent of dry peas and 14 per cent of both durum wheat and triticale are now in the bin, the release says.
Crop development was accelerated by the heat wave over the months of June and July, the release notes. Many crops still look weak with small head sizes and unfilled kernels. Provincial crop condition ratings declined slightly from the previous crop report with 18 per cent of crops rated good or excellent condition, down from the five-year average of 69 per cent.
There were low to moderate amounts of moisture across the province over the last two weeks, as widespread thunderstorms happened.
“Rain was welcome in the areas where it was received, particularly for hay and pasture fields. However, it might be late for most annual crops. Temperatures over this period remained in the mid to high 20s across all regions.”
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