Alberta Crop Report as of August 29, 2023

Crop Report, provided by the Government of Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, as of August 29, 2023:

Reports indicate that harvest is progressing rapidly in the South and Central regions due to continued hot and dry conditions. In the northern regions of the province, reports indicate that cool and wet weather over the past week has continued to slow harvest progress. Secondary growth has occurred in the spring cereal and canola crops in the northern regions, brought on by the significant rainfall through July and August, which is leading to producers either leaving crop standing until the second growth matures or swathing the crop to encourage drying.

Provincial soil moisture ratings have decreased this week due to ongoing dryness in the South and Central regions, while reports noted a growing percentage of the northern regions with excessive moisture ratings. The percentage of the province with surface moisture (sub-surface in brackets) rated good to excellent is 37 (38) per cent. Regional surface (sub-surface) moisture good-toexcellent ratings are currently at seven (seven) per cent in the South, 23 (35) per cent in Central, 71 (53) per cent in the North East, 71 (76) per cent in the North West, and 69 (74) per cent in the Peace.

Harvest progress for major crops is reported at 18 per cent complete across the province. The South and Central regions are continuing to progress ahead of long-term averages. The Peace region is reporting average harvest progress, while the North East and North West regions are reporting progress slightly behind both the five- and 10-year averages.

Provincial pasture and tame hay growth is largely unchanged in the province from last week; however, this is due to decreasing ratings in the South, Central and North West regions being offset by improved ratings in the North East and Peace regions. Provincial pasture growth rated good to excellent is at 27 per cent, which is unchanged from the last report. The percentage of pasture rated good to excellent is at six per cent in the South, 29 per cent in Central, 48 per cent in the North East, 44 per cent in the North West and 52 per cent in the Peace. Provincial tame hay growth rated good to excellent is at 35 per cent, a one per cent decrease since the last report. Regional good to excellent percentages for tame hay are four per cent in the South, 33 per cent in Central, 42 per cent in the North East, 46 per cent in the North West and 52 per cent in the Peace.

Region Five: Peace (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)

Reports of significant rainfall across the region caused harvest progress to slow.
Crop swathed is reported as 35 per cent for canola, while less than one per cent for spring wheat and barley.
Good to excellent surface soil moisture ratings decreased by four per cent, while sub-surface was unchanged.

To read the full report on all regions head to their website: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/2830245