Alberta’s farmers are estimated to have about 95 per cent of their 2010 crop off the fields, according to an informal provincial survey as of Thursday.
That’s up from 86 per cent a week earlier, the provincial agriculture and rural development department said Friday in what’s likely to be its final crop report for the year.
According to surveys conducted by the province and its Agriculture Financial Services Corp., crops still in the field are mostly in the southern and central regions.
Harvest in the Cardston area southwest of Lethbridge is estimated at just 65 per cent complete, with areas north and east of Calgary at 75-85 per cent and areas east of Morrin (southeast of Red Deer) at 75-90 per cent.
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Alberta Crop Report: Rains in the south, dryness in the north
Rain fell onto the southern half of Alberta last week, while hot and dry conditions persisted in the northern half, according to the province’s crop report released on July 18.
Forecasts for those regions suggests favourable conditions over the next week, however, and should allow producers in these areas to wrap up harvest for the year.
Overall, crop yields are estimated to be below average in the southern and central areas of the province’s Peace region, and mostly above average in other areas of the province. Grade estimates for both cereals and oilseeds are below average, mainly due to cool, damp conditions and fall frost damage.
Hay supply in the province is mostly adequate, except in the Peace region due to low yields. Hay quality varies from poor to excellent, the province said.
