“Seed was then approved to be imported into Canada, and a mad rush began to organize the distribution. Amazingly, this was all done in less than a week, and seed distribution began on May 14. Most of the general area planting began on the same day,” said Darren Klemen, who was officially anointed the new president of ASBG at the annual general meeting on March 4.

“Growers kept their planters running for long hours to get the crop in quick, as the contract negotiation created a long delay in normal planting.”

Nevertheless, producers were able to get 22,968 acres planted into the ground within a handful of days of seed distribution. The late planting did provide a blessing in disguise with great stands.

June saw some timely rains, but with it also came some cooler days stretching a month-and-a-half that the region had not experienced in recent years, causing fears of a below-average beet harvest. But after an on-time harvest that began on Sept. 29, all the piling grounds finished reporting on Oct. 27 with 726,997 tonnes delivered.

Sugar content was 18.89 per cent with 17.32 extractable sugar and a 4.86 per cent tare. It beat the five-year average of 18.46 per cent sugar content. It brought the average yield to 31.68 tonnes per acre, as Stiekema Kolhorn Farms was deemed 2025’s top grower at 37.52 adjusted tonnes per acre.

Very few beets were lost to hail, wind or insects. Also, August came in on a heater for a long stretch of warm, dry weather propping up the crop with irrigation systems making up for lost time. September brought more of the same, with many days over 30 degrees Celsius with requisite irrigation in tow, making its way into harvest October as well.

“I guess that would be considered a pretty good crop. That’s more September irrigating than I’ve observed in a long time,” said Klemen.

Glyphosate-resistant kochia and volunteer canola continued to be a problem in the sugar beet growing areas.

Lantic Inc. field stag monitored fields with small cases of disease and pests which included aphanomyces and root rot. But the southern Alberta area got off relatively well disease-wise compared to their American counterparts.

“Our disease concerns are now very minor compared to our neighbors to the south. Nearly all their areas (were) devastated by cercospora,” said Klemen.

As the ASBG celebrated its 100th harvest as an organization, growers at its AGM got to enjoy a video showcasing its century history. Watch here.

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Saskatchewan Agriculture, in its Oct. 9 crop report, estimated the provincial hard red spring wheat yield at 51 bushels per acre.

That’s five bu. higher than the 46 bu. average from 2024 and nearly two bu. more than the Statistics Canada estimate of 49.2 bu. per acre for Saskatchewan released in September.

Farmers in many regions, including west-central Saskatchewan, posted wheat yields that exceeded expectations.

“We’re all really happy with the crop we’ve combined,” said Dean Roberts, who farms north of Kindersley, near Coleville, Sask.

“It’s surprising, given the year we’ve had.”

The average spring wheat yield in west-central Saskatchewan is 56 bu. per acre, says the provincial crop report. That’s 12 bu. above last year.

The 2025 yield is a bit shocking, since farmers and agronomists were feeling pessimistic about spring wheat in June.

A large geography in Saskatchewan’s northern grain belt received little or no rain in May and June, and the wheat crop was suffering.

“The lower leaves on some (cereal) plants, you could see the drought symptoms. They were turning brown. Some of the wheat (was) already heading out,” Quinton Cubbon, a crop extension specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture in North Battleford, said in June.

In the end, the dry spring likely helped the spring wheat. The plants developed better roots, allowing the wheat to pull moisture and nutrients from deeper in the soil profile, Roberts said.

Jake Ayre, who runs Southern Seed, a seed retailer in Minto, Man., with his father, Andrew, shared a similar story.

Southwestern Manitoba was also dry in May and June. In response, wheat roots grew downward to find moisture.

“I was talking to our agronomist … and they noticed that in the western region (of Manitoba), cereal roots were going down in some spots a metre or more deep.”

Ayre didn’t comment on spring wheat yields in his part of Manitoba, but it’s obvious that the 2025 crop is large.

New grain bins are “moving down the road,” so farmers in the region must need more storage.

Looking across the Prairies, provincial crop reports from Manitoba and Alberta indicate that spring wheat yields are robust:

Manitoba Agriculture says spring wheat yields are well above 60 bu. per acre, with some areas recording yields in the 70s, 80s and 90s.

In Alberta, the provincial report for the middle of September said the average yield was nearly 55 bu., with central Alberta posting 67 bu. per acre.

If provincial estimates from across the Prairies are combined, it seems probable that spring wheat will break the yield record of 54.1 bu. per acre from 2020, using Statistics Canada numbers.

In its September estimates for field crops, StatCan projected spring wheat yields at 53.1 bu. That’s marginally above 2024, when the average was 52.1 bu.

StatCan also forecast the spring wheat crop at 26.6 million tonnes, which is the largest tonnage ever.

Yields and total tonnage could be significantly higher because traders and analysts have criticized StatCan and its methodology, saying its crop production estimates are too low. The federal agency estimated Manitoba’s spring wheat yield at 60 bu. per acre, which is five bu. lower than 2024.

Hitting new highs on the combine’s yield monitor and filling up grain bins is rewarding, but farmers are coping with weak prices at the elevator.

In west-central Saskatchewan, spring wheat bids are around $6.75 to 7 per bu., Roberts said.

“Yeah, we have a phenomenal yield, but with the price coming down, our revenue number doesn’t look much different,” Roberts said.

“That’s what really matters…. When the revenue number doesn’t change, it still causes some worry.”

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The ASBG represents 200 farm families in southern Alberta who manage 33,895 acres of quota under a recently signed five-year contract with Lantic Sugar, which includes an opt-out clause after three years. Growers farm near Vauxhall, Taber, Bow Island, Burdett, Tempest, Enchant and Hays.

“Under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act, we are a marketing board,” executive director Jennifer Crowson told the 24 people on a bus as it made its way to a sugar-beet field operated by Gary Tokariuk.

“We do get the impression at times that we’re supply managed. However, we’re more production managed because we have one sole processor, and they get to tell us how many acres they’d like to process a year.”

The new contract guarantees that a minimum of 22,500 acres will be processed.

Beets are usually planted by late April, but marathon-length negotiations this year resulted in an agreement signed May 8. As a result, the crop wasn’t planted until May 14, creating uncertainty as to how harvest might unfold.

Last year, yields averaged at 32 tonnes an acre in a growing season that saw a wet spring and was cool overall.

“One thing with sugar beets is they really love the heat in the summer and irrigation,” Crowson said.

“They need about 20 inches of irrigation a year to be a successful crop. And then they also need the heat at the right time.”

Early estimates are for yields that will be similar to last year.

The crop can experience wild swings in temperatures.

“It’s crazy how temperature can change ” Crowson said.

“I live northeast of Vauxhall (10,000 acres of sugar beets grown), and I can drive to Taber in the morning, and it can be almost 10 degrees difference from my house to the office. It’s quite interesting. I think the big factor with that is probably the rivers that are to the north.”

The beets belong to Lantic once they are dug and in the company’s possession.

Farmers take the risk while the sugar beets are in the piles waiting for pickup, and so they share loading equipment to speed up the process in the race against frost in October.

Growers are paid for sugar content, and they shoot for 17.3 per cent extractable sugar. Crowson said they look to be on track for 2025.

The ASBG honours the top 10 producers every year for yield and sugar content across the seven growing areas.

Sugar beets are roughly 20 per cent sugar, with the rest being water and pulp/fibre.

Waste is minimized. When they are dug, the beets are topped and the leaves go back into the soil. When they go to the factory in Taber, they are washed, sliced and boiled, resulting in byproducts with sugar molasses and beet pulp.

“They will sell some of the wet beet pulp to some of the local producers for animal feed,” Crowson said.

“They also dehydrate it, dry it and then sell it for animal feed as well.The molasses that comes from sugar beats is usually used in animal feed because it’s quite tart. Some distilleries will use it in production as well, but it’s not usually your your table version, like baking ginger snaps or something like that.”

Much like high-value potato growers, sugar beet farmers benefit from southern Alberta’s intricate canal and irrigation systems that provide moisture when Mother Nature is not co-operating.

“We live among all this irrigation and so we kind of take it for granted, but 70 per cent of Canada’s irrigation is located here in southern Alberta,” said Crowson.

The post Sugar beet harvest underway in southern Alberta appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

At the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association’s (CASA) 2025 Conference, Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS) Agriculture Consultant Kristin Hoffman gave tips for staying mentally and physically safe during one of the most important times of year for farmers.

Here are some of the key pieces of advice from Hoffman’s presentation:

Know the pressure and know your limits.

Hoffman said preparation and maintenance are key during the harvest, not just for machinery but for people as well.

“As you prepare your equipment, prepare yourself for the work,” she said. “Acknowledge that this is a high-pressure season, which requires us to really prepare.”

She said in the high-pressure environment of the harvest, it is more important than ever to keep an eye on basic needs like rest, hydration and nutrition.

“Some of the essentials of life become even more important during this season, when the two hours we thought we might (take) becomes four, six, eight and more,” she said.

“Ensure that … you have that sandwich for a break at some point throughout those many hours of harvest when you’re out in the field.”

Stay connected

Another way to stay safe during working hours is to be connected with trusted individuals like family members at all times, not only as emergency contacts but as someone you can check in with during the day.

Hoffman said it helps to share your location with that person “so that if you didn’t get home for dinner at the time that individual might expect and there isn’t an answer, they know whereabouts you might be.”

Farmers should be prepared for emergency situations in their equipment as well, and Hoffman suggested having emergency service numbers on hand, as well as equipment like fire extinguishers and first aid kits.

Know your route, prepare your equipment

Preparation and inspection of equipment and routes before leaving is also crucial for harvest safety. This can include being aware of surroundings and potential hazards on roads, including overhead wires and shoulders that can’t bear the load of heavy equipment.

Hoffman said even in cases where equipment would normally be within the necessary size limits, infrastructure like wires can age and droop dangerously close to the machine.

One of the ways she suggested to prepare is driving your expected route during daylight hours in a regular vehicle.

“How much width do you have, how much height do you have? Consider what you are going to be powering along those roads. Will it fit? And could there become challenges across narrow bridges or areas without shoulders?”

“When possible, choose those roads that are relatively low-traffic (and) give you all of the dimension requirements that you need,” she said. “Consider having an assistant along with you when you are traveling on the roads, to be sure that you’ve got eyes on front and rear.”

Farmers should also prepare their equipment with everything necessary for the day’s work before leaving the farm or the home. Part of this is to ensure visibility.

“Be seen. Light yourself up as you might in the Christmas or Halloween season on your equipment, no matter the time of year that you are traveling upon the roads.”

“I’ll recommend to you … place a (slow-moving vehicle sign) on every piece, the power unit as well as all of the implements.”

Hoffman said to be aware of your lights while travelling on roads, as rear lights could be distracting or dangerous for other drivers.

“Imagine coming up to a vehicle in your lane from the rear and two white lights are pointed back at you. You might interpret that there is a car travelling the wrong direction.”

The post Exploring Harvest Safety appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

The harvest progress compares with the five-year average of 93 per cent done. Peas were fully harvested, while spring wheat, barley and oats were “virtually complete.” Canola was 92 per cent combined, six points ahead of the five-year average.

Fall-seeded crop progress remained closely tied to soil moisture conditions, said the report, with 34 per cent of fall seeded crops in good to excellent condition. That was down six points from the previous week.

Yield estimates for the major crops were generally above the five-year average, according to the report. Average spring wheat yields of 55.7 bushels per acre were 23 per cent above the five-year average. Barley yields were also 23 per cent higher, at 74.8 bu./ac. Provincial canola yields exceeded the five-year average by 20 per cent, at 42.6 bu./ac. and dry peas were up 33 per cent at 46.8 bu./ac. Provincial oat yields were steady with the five-year average at 77.0 bu./ac.

An estimated 76 per cent of Alberta’s hard red spring wheat crop graded No. 1 CW, which compares with the five-year average of 56 per cent. Just under half of the durum hit the No. 1 grade at 48 per cent, seven points off the five-year average. Barley saw 31 per cent of the crop grade as malt, in line with the average, with 60 per cent at No. 1 CW. For oats, 24 per cent graded No. 1 CW, 10 points below the average. Canola was up seven points in the top-quality category, with 92 per cent grading No. 1 Can.

The post Alberta harvest wrapping up: report appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

At 93 per cent complete, the harvest progress was up nine points from the previous week and ahead of the 10-year average of 87 per cent done. However, the pace was behind the year-ago level of 97 per cent done and the five-year average of 98 per cent complete.

The harvest was most advanced in the west-central region at 96 per cent complete.

Nearly all winter cereal and pulse crops were harvested, with chickpeas the only pulse crop with notable unharvested acres at 70 per cent done. The harvest was 98 per cent complete for spring wheat and barley, while 96 per cent of the durum and oat crops were off. Mustard was 91 per cent done, canola at 89 per cent soybeans at 79 per cent and 60 per cent of the flax crops were harvested.

Yields varied across the province due to conditions over the growing season, although average yields remained above historical averages for most crop types. Provincially, hard red spring wheat yielded 51 bushels per acre, durum 41 bu./ac., oats 92 bu./ac., barley 71 bu./ac., field peas 42 bu./ac., lentils 1,922 pounds per acre and chickpeas 1,817 lbs/ac. Oilseed crops were still being combined, but canola was currently yielding 42 bu./ac. on average, mustard 1,192 lbs/ac. and flax 26 bu./ac.

Crop quality varied throughout the province largely due to variable rainfall levels, dry conditions and pest activity during the growing season. Provincially, 65 per cent of hard red spring wheat was 1 Canada Western (CW), 27 per cent was 2 CW, six per cent was 3 CW and only two per cent graded as feed.

The post Saskatchewan harvest nearing completion: Report appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

Winter cereal planting was complete in most areas, with crops establishing well. Only two per cent of the spring wheat was still standing, with yields averaging 60 bushels per acre or more, depending on the region, with some above-average yields of 70+ bu./ac. Quality for the cereals was generally good, but some fields with delayed harvest have had wheat downgraded to feed. Oat yields range from 110 to 130 bu./ac. and barley from 65 to 110+ bu./ac. Corn crops were starting to dry down, with progress ranging from the dent to black layer stage.

The canola harvest was 76 per cent complete, with yields ranging from 30 to over 60 bu./ac. Flax was desiccated, and sunflowers range from R8 to R9.

The field pea harvest was complete with yields ranging from 30 to 75 bu./ac. The dry bean harvest was nearing the halfway mark, while soybeans were 24 per cent compete.

Second-cut harvest of fully mature alfalfa was underway on several operations. Producers were also proceeding with a third cut in some areas, while others were delaying harvest until after a killing frost to protect root carbohydrate reserves.

Corn silage harvest was underway across the province, with yields generally reported as average to above average. Well managed pastures remained in very good condition for this time of year. However, many producers were providing supplemental feed to ensure grazing livestock maintain adequate nutrition.

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The harvest advanced 12 points, at 53 per cent complete, which compares with the five-year average of 73 per cent done. The southwest was the most advanced, at 66 per cent complete, while the northeast lagged at 42 per cent done.

Winter wheat and fall rye harvest was complete. Only four per cent of the peas and nine per cent of the lentils provincewide were left to harvest. For cereals, barley was 72 per cent harvested, spring wheat 56 per cent, oats 52 percent and canary seed 20 per cent.

An estimated 41 per cent of the Saskatchewan mustard crop was harvested, with canola at 21 per cent done, soybeans at 13 per cent and flax at six per cent.

Yields and quality varied depending on rainfall over the growing season.

While precipitation caused harvest delays in some cases, the rains also helped improve depleted topsoil moisture conditions. Topsoil moisture conditions for cropland were rated as six per cent surplus, 66 per cent adequate, 22 per cent short and six per cent very short. For hayland, topsoil moisture was six per cent surplus, 58 per cent adequate, 25 per cent short and 11 per cent very short. Pasture topsoil moisture was three per cent surplus, 54 per cent adequate, 29 per cent short and 14 per cent very short.

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At 50 per cent complete, the harvest advanced 10 points from the previous week. Operations were most advanced in central Manitoba, at 63 per cent done, while the western regions lagged at 42 per cent complete.

The winter cereal harvest was complete across Manitoba, with winter wheat yields ranging from 50 to 80 bushels per acre and fall rye at 60 to 110 bu./ac.

The spring wheat harvest was 90 per cent done, with average yields of 50 to 60 bu./ac.

Barley and oats were 87 and 79 per cent harvested respectively, with yields of 60 to 70 bu./ac. for barley and 100 to 150 bu./ac. for oats.

Canola swathing was ongoing, with the harvest 33 per cent done provincially. Early yields were ranging from 45 to 60 bu./ac.

The field pea harvest has wrapped up, with yields anywhere from 30 to 75 bu./ac.

Most soybeans were in the R6 to R7 stages of development, with edible beans in the R7 to R8 stage. Corn was primarily in the dent stage, with sunflowers ranging from R8 to R9.

Pastures remain in good condition for the time of year, given warm temperatures and ample moisture. The corn silage harvest was underway.

The post Manitoba harvest hits halfway mark: report appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

Rain delayed harvest progress throughout much of Manitoba, with Kane in the central region receiving the most at nearly 78 millimetres, while Poplarfield in the Interlake got four.

Harvest progress

The weekly provincial crop report said combining of winter wheat and fall rye is 100 per cent complete. The winter wheat yielded 50 to 80 bushels per acre and the fall rye ranged from 60 to 100.

Of the other reported crops being combined around the province:

• Field peas 99 per cent done, yielding 30 to 75 bu./ac.

• Spring wheat 79 per cent harvested, yielding 50 to more than 60 bu./ac.

• Barley 77 per cent finished, yielding 60 to 70 bu./ac.

• Oats 63 per cent complete, yielding 100 to 150 bu./ac.

• Canola 18 per cent finished, yielding 30 to 60 bu./ac.

Of those Manitoba crops yet to see their harvests get underway, the corn was in the R5 (dent) stage, flax reached the brown capsule stage, and the majority of sunflowers have finished flowering. Also, the dry beans are in the R8 to R9 growth stages and most soybeans are at R6 to R7.

Manitoba Ag reported spring wheat conditions have remained very firm at 80 to 90 per cent good to excellent, with fair ratings holding at 10 to 20 per cent.

Forages, pastures

With the recent frosts, producers are cautioned to watch for elevated levels of nitrates in greenfeed, crop silage still standing or in cereal regrowth.

Rainy cool weather slowed regrowth on pastures and hay lands with the frost delaying it even more. Cattle producers continued to make their way through their second cut of hay, with poor yields. Dairy producers were working on their third cut, with yields better than their second cut.

Pastures across Manitoba are reported to be in good shape with cattle remaining on them. However, rivers and dugout water levels are quite low.

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