Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development recently posted the 2012 crop report schedule online. Since 1940, this program, has captured and delivered timely information relating to crop production in Alberta during the current crop season. This is achieved through the use of surveys, which collect data on moisture and crop conditions, progress of seeding and harvesting, insect and disease situation, yield potential and crop quality.

Again this year, data collected through the surveys, along with information from other sources will be used to compile the biweekly crop report. These reports will present provincial and regional summaries.

The crop report is used by industry and other stakeholders for various purposes, including drought monitoring and forecasting of production insurance payments. It is also used to validate some of the Alberta crop estimates generated by Statistics Canada.

The delivery of the Alberta 2012 Crop Reporting Program is done in partnership with Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC), and members of the Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldmen (AAAF).

This year, the crop reporting series will consist of 13 bi-weekly reports, seven prepared by AFSC and six by Alberta Agriculture. The first crop report is scheduled for release on May 8, 2012.