Seventy-seven per cent of crops harvested, soil moisture conditions improve

Harvest is complete in the Southern Region and nearly complete in the Central Region, while the northern regions in the province are still in mid-harvest. This past spring, the northern regions had some challenges with the harvesting of over-wintered crops which led to late seeding. As well, for these regions, rain, combined with snow and morning dew has delayed harvest operations in some areas. Even so, harvest continues to progress, when conditions permit.

Producers across the province took advantage of a few days of good weather to harvest as much crops as possible. Provincially, about 77 per cent of crops have now been harvested (up five per cent from a week ago), 12 per cent are in swath and another 11 per cent are standing. When compared to the 5-year average (2012-2016), harvest progress was advanced in the Southern and Central Regions, but is behind by about 20 per cent in the North East, 35 per cent in the North West and 16 per cent in the Peace Region. Provincially, nearly 15 per cent of spring wheat, 14 per cent of barley, 28 per cent of oats and six per cent of canola are still standing. Also, three per cent of spring wheat, four per cent of barley, eight per cent of oats and 27 per cent of canola have been swathed.

Surface soil moisture ratings have improved significantly in the Southern Region and slightly in the Peace Region. Surface soil moisture (5-year averages are in brackets) is now rated as nine (seven) per cent poor, 22 (24) per cent fair, 37 (46) per cent good and 31 (20) per cent excellent, with one (three) per cent excessive. Sub-surface soil moisture improved slightly for all regions and the province as a whole. Compared to the long-term normal, more moisture is needed in the Southern Region and in some northern parts of the Peace Region, to improve both surface and sub-surface soil moisture (see the map). Fall-seeded crops conditions (5-year averages are in brackets) are reported at 22 (three) per cent poor, 29 (21) per cent fair, 47 (58) per cent good and two (18) per cent excellent.

Click here to read the full report on the Alberta Agriculture website, complete with graphics and a breakdown by regions.