Crop report

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Published: October 4, 2013

MANITOBA

Rain and cool temperatures in September have slowed harvest progression, and frost in some areas has damaged corn, sunflower and soybean crops.

Winter wheat seeding is wrapping up and early seeded fields are starting to emerge.

Southwest

Significant crop damage followed a storm in the Shoal Lake and Oakburn areas and frost has also been reported.

The spring cereal harvest is nearing completion with yields coming in well above average with above average bushel weights and lower protein levels.

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Growers are continuing the canola harvest with yields ranging from 30 to 65 bu. per acre.

Average yields are reported early on in the flax harvest. Above average yields and quality are reported in pea crops.

Some soybean and corn crops in the northern part of the region have been damaged by frost.

Northwest

Harvest progress is further along in the southern part of the region.

Average to above average yields are reported from all crops. Spring wheat yields range from 40 to 85 bu. per acre, canola from 15 to 60 bu. per acre and oats from 75 to 100 bu per acre.

Lower yields are linked to excess moisture early in the season.

Winter wheat and fall rye crops are starting to emerge with some additional fields seeded following recent rain.

Corn silage work has started. Some forage shortfall is reported in the Westlake and The Pas areas.

Central

Frost has been reported in most areas but with minimal damage.

Harvest operations are nearing completion with the edible bean harvest furthest behind.

Edible bean yields are averaging 2,000 pounds per acre. Cereal and oilseed yields are positive. In spring wheat, lower protein numbers are being reported. Some of the crop has been downgraded because of ergot.

Soybean yields range from 35 to 55 bu. per acre.

Potato crops are yielding 350 to 450 hundredweight.

Acres dedicated to winter wheat and fall rye are expected to be similar to last year.

Eastern

Frost has damaged some corn, sunflowers and soybeans.

Winter wheat yields range from 70 to 80 bu. per acre, spring wheat from 45 to 60 bu. per acre, barley from 80 to 90 bu. per acre, oats from 100 to 125 bu. per acre and canola from 40 to 60 bu. per acre.

The soybean harvest is underway and corn silage work has started with yields above average.

Interlake

Average yields are reported in soybean crops with growers in the southern areas getting a head start on the harvest.

Winter wheat seeding is complete, and alfalfa seed fields are being harvested.

Some cattle producers are starting to feed cattle on pasture.

SASKATCHEWAN

Most of the crop across the province has been harvested, with growers in the west-central region furthest along, although rain has delayed work. Progress remains well ahead of the five-year average for this time of year.

Wind, rain and light frost has been reported across the province, with minimal damage expected.

South

Rain has slowed harvest. Yields vary from average to above-average.

Winter wheat yields range from 20 to 80 bu. per acre, spring wheat 20 to 70 bu. per acre and canola 25 to 55 bu. per acre.

Lentils are yielding 900 to 2,100 lb. per acre, peas 32 to 60 bu. per acre, chickpeas 1,080 to 2,100 lb. per acre and canaryseed 750 to 2,000 lb. per acre.

Recent rain may bleach and downgrade cereal crops. Additional winter cereals are being seeded.

Central

West-central growers are furthest along in the province, and good crop quality is reported.

Winter wheat crops are yielding 30 to 90 bu. per acre, spring wheat 30 to 85 bu. per acre and canola 30 to 50 bu. per acre. Lentils are producing 900 to 2,400 lb. per acre, peas 30 to 60 bu. per acre and chickpeas 1,100 to 1,500 lb. per acre.

Wind, frost and bleaching of swathed crops have caused damage.

North

Harvest is ahead of the five-year average. Good quality is reported along with above average yields.

Spring wheat yields vary from 30 to 60 bu. per acre, oats 40 to 140 bu. per acre and barley 35 to 90 bu. per acre. Canola is yielding 20 to 55 bu. per acre and peas 18 to 60 bu. per acre.

Some areas have received frost.

ALBERTA

Warm, dry weather has assisted harvest. Farmers across the province are well ahead of the five-year averages for this time of year.

Yields for almost all crops are expected to be 20 to 25 percent above five-year averages, with the vast majority of spring wheat, barley, oats and canola crops placing in the top two grades. Drier conditions, however, are affecting seeding and crop ratings on fall cereals of which only half are rated good or excellent in the central region.

South

Yields are above five-year averages. Quality is good, although below 2012 levels. Spring wheat fields are yielding as much as 20 percent above average, although ergot is affecting some crops. Canola yields are average with some early seeded fields faring better.

Peas have yielded as many as 85 bushels an acre. Lentils have performed well and flax crops are expected to yield big as well.

Central

Yields are 20 to 30 percent above the five-year averages with good quality reported in spring wheat, barley and canola crops.

Canola is averaging 45 and 55 bu. per acre. Growers are seeing yields as high as 100 bu. per acre in barley and 90 bu. per acre and above in spring wheat, although with lower protein levels.

Peas are yielding between 50 and 70 bu. per acre.

North

The northeast, which was drier, has benefited from rain.

Growers there are seeing yields 10 to 20 percent ahead of five-year averages.

Crops in the northwest are maturing later and growers in that area are further behind in harvest work. Yields in that region are better at 20 to 30 percent above five-year averages.

Excellent quality is reported in crops across northern Alberta.

Peace

Harvest work is progressing despite rain.

Positive growing conditions throughout the season have boosted yield estimates which are 30 to 40 percent above five-year averages. Good quality is reported with most crops rated in the top two grades.

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