As the 2024 growing season closes, Alberta’s farmers are celebrating another harvest season marked by both successes and obstacles. RJ Sigurdson, Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, extended heartfelt praise to the province’s agricultural community, recognizing the relentless dedication of farmers who worked tirelessly through the warm fall to bring in this year’s crops.
“While many Albertans were enjoying beautiful fall days with above-average temperatures, farmers were working around the clock to get crops off their fields before the weather turned,” Sigurdson noted. “I commend their continued dedication to growing quality crops, putting food on tables across the province and around the world.”
According to Sigurdson, favorable weather conditions in August and early September allowed for a swift start to the harvest. The result was a fast, efficient season that helped farmers complete much of their work ahead of the shifting autumn weather. This year’s final yield estimates reflect a mixed outcome: the South, North West, and Peace regions saw slightly above-average yields, while the Central and North East regions fell short of expectations.
Despite these varied yields, crop quality has remained high for certain key commodities. Oats and dry peas, in particular, have surpassed the five-year average, with a larger share of these crops receiving top grades. However, spring wheat, durum, barley, and canola didn’t fare as well, grading in the top categories at lower-than-average rates. Sigurdson emphasized the importance of crop grading, which determines the quality of grain crops based on factors like frost damage, color, moisture content, and sprouting. “Alberta generally produces high-quality crops,” he said, underscoring the province’s reputation in the agricultural market.
Acknowledging the many challenges that farmers have faced in recent years, Sigurdson highlighted their resilience and adaptability. “For some areas of the province, 2024 was a difficult growing season. But Alberta producers are innovative and resilient,” he noted. “They work constantly to meet challenges head-on and drive sustainable growth in our agricultural sector.”
Alberta’s farmers are not only feeding the province but also contributing to global food supplies with safe, high-quality products. “I’m proud of the reputation for safe, high-quality agricultural products that this industry has built for itself,” Sigurdson said, expressing gratitude to the producers who make this possible.
