Alberta Crop Report - September 3, 2024

Harvest continued at a rapid pace throughout the last week, supported by an ongoing period of warmer than average temperatures over the past month (Map). While most of the province reported minor rain delays, the delays were short given that high temperatures typically followed the storms which allowed fields to dry quickly. No weather delays were reported from the Peace Region over the past week.

As shown in Table 1, provincial harvest of major crops is progressing at a pace ahead of the 5-year average. The harvest of dry peas is notably ahead at 91 per cent complete this week, compared to the 5-year average of 66 per cent, suggesting that many producers have completed their pulses and are now focused on harvesting cereal crops. Provincial harvest progress of spring wheat is reported at 36 per cent complete, compared to the 5-year average of 16 per cent, and harvest of barley is reported at 50 per cent complete, compared to the 5-year average of 25 per cent. Oats are also well ahead of average with 21 per cent of the crop harvested versus the 5-year average of 6 per cent. Canola harvest progress is at 5 per cent compared to a 5-year average of 2 per cent; however, 38 per cent of canola is currently swathed versus the 5-year average of 21 per cent for this week.

Pasture conditions continue to slowly decrease across the province, apart from in the Central Region (Table 3). Provincial pasture rated good to excellent was 27 per cent, an increase of 2 per cent over last week. Regional ratings for pasture growth rated as good to excellent (change from last week) are 31 (0) per cent in the South, 23 (+9) per cent in the Central, 15 (-4) per cent in the North East, 22 (-2) per cent in the North West, and 54 (-7) per cent in the Peace. 

For this week, provincial tame hay is rated 27 per cent good to excellent, a decrease of 1 per cent from last week. Regional ratings for tame hay growth rated as good to excellent (change from last week) are 27 (-1) per cent in the South, 20 (+6) per cent in the Central, 10 (-6) per cent in the North East, 25 (-1) per cent in the North West, and 52 (-7) per cent in the Peace.