Great harvest progress has been made this last week with 68 percent of the crop combined. Twenty-two percent is swathed or ready to be straight-cut.
Rainfall this week ranged from trace amounts to 20 mm. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 78 percent adequate across the province. Hayland and pasture topsoil moisture is 85 percent adequate.
Strong winds caused some damage. Quality continues to be a concern because of higher than normal levels of fusarium head blight, moisture, frost and disease.
SOUTH
Harvest continues with good progress. Sixty to 80 percent of the crop is now in the bin. An additional 13 to 23 percent is swathed or ready to be straight-cut. The five-year average is around 80 percent.
Read Also
Alberta Crop Report: Rains in the south, dryness in the north
Rain fell onto the southern half of Alberta last week, while hot and dry conditions persisted in the northern half, according to the province’s crop report released on July 18.
Many producers in the area will need another two to three weeks of good weather to complete harvest.
Rainfall over the weekend halted harvest progress for many producers. Heavy dew in the morning and evening didn’t help.
The Carnduff area reported 20 mm of rain this past week with the Moosomin area reporting the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1 (895 mm).
Topsoil moisture conditions for cropland are 59 to 87 percent adequate. Hayland and pasture moisture is rated at 82 to 93 percent adequate.
Quality remains a concern because of higher than normal levels of disease in durum and pulse crops. Higher than normal levels of fusarium head blight are also a problem. High grasshopper numbers have been reported.
CENTRAL
Significant progress was made this past week. Fifty-three to 72 percent of the crops are in the bin. Roughly 24 percent is swathed or ready to be straight-cut. Progress is close to the five-year average of roughly 70 percent.
Most producers need at least another week or two of warm, dry weather to finish harvest.
Trace amounts of rain occurred. The Esterhazy area received the most with four mm. The Foam Lake area has received 730 mm of rain since April 1, the greatest amount for the region.
Topsoil conditions on cropland are rated at 75 to 83 percent adequate. Hayland and pasture moisture is 84 percent adequate.
Reports of higher than normal levels of fusarium head blight have been made. Moisture, frost, and disease have also damaged crops. Strong winds blew canola swaths around and lodged standing crops.
NORTH
Tremendous harvest progress was made with 67 to 77 percent of the crop now in the bin. An additional 19 to 24 percent is swathed or ready to be straight-cut. Progress has exceeded the 68 percent five-year average.
Some producers will need at least another week or more of dry weather to complete harvest.
Little rain was reported. The Rapid View area received the greatest amount with three mm. The North Battleford area has received 521 mm since April 1.
Topsoil conditions on cropland are rated 84 percent adequate. Hayland and pasture topsoil moisture is rated at 72 to 80 percent adequate.
High fusarium head blight levels are being reported in some areas. Moisture, frost and disease have also caused problems. Some canola crops have high green count.
There have been several reports of combine fires because of dry field conditions. Cattle have been moved home early in some areas because of lack of pasture growth.
