Alberta Crop Report: Higher-than-average yields expected

Glacier FarmMedia – Cooler temperatures and much-needed rainfall in the south and Peace regions of Alberta improved soil moisture and supported projected yields across the province.

In Alberta, 63.4 per cent of crops were in good to excellent condition, ahead of the five-year average of 53 per cent and the 10-year average of 57 per cent.

Potatoes (95.2 per cent), mixed grains (81.2 per cent) and flax (79.8 per cent) fared the best, while oats (54 per cent), chickpeas (56 per cent) and winter wheat (58.5 per cent) were the worst. In the central region, 93 per cent of its crops were rated good to excellent, followed by the northwest at 70 per cent, the south at 64 per cent, the northeast at 59 per cent and 22 per cent in the Peace region.

In its weekly crop report, Alberta released its initial yield estimates and indexes for major crops. The five-year yield index provincewide was 113.7, meaning the overall yield would be 13.7 per cent above the five-year average, with the 10-year index was 106.2.

The average dry pea yield was estimated at 43.7 bushels per acre with a five-year index of 123.6. The average yield for canola was projected at 38.6 bu./ac. with a five-year index of 109.1. The spring wheat yield was pegged at 48.4 bu./ac. with an index of 106.9, barley was at 65.2 bu./ac. with an index of 106.8 and oats were at 67.5 bu./ac. with an index of 88, 12 per cent below the five-year average.

Provincial completion for the first cut of hay was at 85 per cent for dryland with an average yield of 1.2 tonnes per acre, while irrigated hay first cut was at 82 per cent complete with an average yield of 2.5 tonnes per acre. Second cuts for hay have also begun, but fewer than average provincial producers indicate they will take a second cut. Second cuts are expected by 46 per cent of dryland hay producers and by nine per cent of irrigated hay producers.

Pasture and tame hay growth conditions were 43.1 per cent good to excellent across Alberta. The central region had the best rating at 70.9 per cent, with the northwest was at 43.6 per cent and the south was at 41.1 per cent. The northeast was at 23.1 per cent while the Peace region was at 21.9 per cent.

Surface moisture in Alberta was rated at 59.6 per cent good to excellent, well above the five-year average of 48.3 per cent and the 10-year average of 51.4 per cent. The best region was the central at 87 per cent, followed by 64 per cent for the south, 39 per cent for the northwest, 37 per cent for the northeast and 32 per cent for the Peace region.

Provincial sub-surface moisture is rated at 51 per cent good to excellent, which is above the five-year average of 45 per cent. Regionally, sub-surface soil moisture was rated as 84 per cent in the central, 43 per cent good to excellent in the south, 35 per cent in the northeast and Peace regions and 29 per cent in the northwest.