Precipitation over the past week slowed harvest progress with about 97 per cent of the provincial crop now in the bin, the weekly crop report from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry on Oct. 16, says. When compared to the five and 10 year averages, harvest is two to three weeks ahead.
However, it wasn’t too wet to either stop producers from harvesting or improve soil moisture reserves, the report notes. Spring wheat, barley, oats and canola are still left to combine.
Overall soil moisture reserves have deteriorated, as a result of lower than normal fall precipitation, the report says. However, soil moisture reserves vary among regions, with the north west region and some areas in the Peace and north east regions having adequate reserves.
Fall-seeded crop conditions are slightly better than normal, the report notes.. Fall seeded crop conditions are reported at two per cent poor, 22 per cent fair, 73 per cent good and three per cent excellent.
