Favourable weather conditions allowed harvest to progress significantly over the last week with 65 per cent of Alberta’s crop now combined, the Sept. 19 provincial crop report said.
In the southern part of the province, reports indicate the harvest of pulses and spring cereals are at or near completion, the report said. The oilseed harvests remain a priority, with attention turning to both the seeding of fall crops and post-harvest weed control. The central, north east, north west, and Peace areas are reporting pulse harvests are nearly done with the majority of harvest efforts now being focused on the spring cereal crops.
“While canola crops in these regions are being harvested where the crop is ready, significant portions of the canola crop are reported as still drying in swaths,” the report said.
The report noted provincial yield estimates for major crops have improved with multiple regions having seen yields that continue to surprise to the upside. Estimates for barley and canola moved the most with yield expectations increasing by 2.4 bushel per acre and 1.9 bushel per acre, respectively. Expectations for spring wheat and oat yields both increased by 1.1 bushel per acre. Dry pea yields expectations also increased by 0.4 bushel per acre.
“While the weather has supported harvesting operations, a lack of moisture has reduced the percentage of provincial soil rated as having good-to-excellent moisture reserves.”
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