Reading Time: 2 minutes General rainfall happened across a large area from northwestern parts of the Central Region to the North West and North East Regions, with precipitation from five to 50 mm, bringing needed moisture to the fields after a spell of hot and dry conditions. Precipitation in the Peace Region varied from spotty showers to an inch […] Read more
Crop conditions, harvest operations below five-year average
Alberta crop conditions as of August 14, 2018
Manitoba winter wheat yields down
CNS Canada — As the winter wheat harvest finishes up in Manitoba, initial reports are that yields are lower than in years past. “It was a disadvantage with the winter and with the weather conditions this summer it’s been pretty dry… so between the two, it’s kind of reduced yields,” said Doug Martin, chairman of […] Read more
Pearce: Multiple modes of action an emerging reality for fungicides
As growers face more challenges from weeds, diseases and insects, many researchers, agronomists, advisers and farmers have shifted thinking from “control” of pests to “managing” them. Some of this trend is attributable to single-mode-of-action products and a reliance on one or two chemistries or technologies — but the adaptability of weed, disease and insect species […] Read more
Rye production could fall 25 per cent, analyst says
CNS Canada — This year’s Canadian rye harvest appears positioned to carry on the crop’s recent trend with another production decline. Dry conditions in many regions of the Prairies and ergot in Manitoba are expected to drive down yields. Jonathan Hull of The Scoular Co. said he has been hearing from farmers that yields could […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Heat blast threatens chickpea yields
CNS Canada — Temperatures as high as 38 C were recorded in the western Prairies over the weekend — and with that heat comes questions about crop impact. Lentils and peas are far enough along that the recent heat wave is unlikely to affect them from a yield perspective, according to Carl Potts of Saskatchewan […] Read more
Hot weather stressing crops, harvests seeing lower yields
Alberta crop conditions as of August 7, 2018
Reading Time: 2 minutes Since mid-July, variable precipitation has occurred across the province, with enough rain in some areas, while others are under dry conditions, especially in the southern part of the province. Hot temperatures added to the stress on crops and forages in dry areas, causing heat stress and pushing maturity quickly, resulting in lower than normal yields. […] Read more
Why Alberta gets more than its fair share of hail
The number or size of thunderstorms is less important than how close the freezing layer is to the ground
Reading Time: 4 minutes It’s time to continue our series of articles on different types of severe summer weather. I like to re-examine these topics every year or two due to the importance of understanding the different types of severe weather, and also because most people find this aspect of weather so fascinating. In this issue we are going to […] Read more
Southern Sask. harvest underway
CNS Canada — Saskatchewan farmers are starting to get into fields, especially in the south where three per cent of the crop has been combined. Overall, producers in the province have combined one per cent of the crop, in line with the five-year average. Two per cent has been swathed or is ready to be […] Read more
Alberta crop conditions decline, hay in short supply
Alberta crop conditions as of July 31, 2018
Reading Time: 2 minutes Provincial crop condition ratings declined a further 1.2 percentage points on the week. The South and Central areas are significantly below the provincial average at 39.6 and 51.6 per cent respectively. The Northwest area is on par with the province at 65.9 while the Northeast and the Peace conditions are bringing up the average at […] Read more
Alberta crop conditions fall overall, poor hay supplies cause for concern
Alberta crop conditions as of July 24, 2018
Reading Time: < 1 minute Provincial crop conditions have dropped over seven points from last week. Northwest. Northeast and Peace regions saw minimal changes, while the South and Central have been most affected. The hot dry weather and limited rainfall played a part in the decline in these two regions. Although the Northeast and Northwest have experienced varied weather including […] Read more