Summary of crop conditions, week of August 1 to August 7.
Alberta
Peace
Fescue and meadow brome grass seed harvest started. Variable weather has resulted in yields ranging from 50 to 500 pounds of seed per acre. Northern Peace continues dry but recent showers were welcome. Canola and peas fine although other grains in the far north continue to do poorly. Grande Prairie and Spirit River report too much rain which hinders haying and creates stress is canola and cereals.
North/Central
Considerable lodging in cereal crops due to heavy rains from Calgary to north of Red Deer. Haying continues to drag on. Eastern side of the province still very dry. Recent scattered showers won’t revive some crops already too stressed by drought. Provost area has missed most showers but no one has plowed any down. Farmers from Hanna, Viking to Smoky Lake are asking for release from crop insurance to plow down or graze cattle on the grain fields.
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South
Rye and winter wheat harvest under way. Rye yields may be light because of late seeding. Spring seeded crops looking good. Some lodging in durum and soft wheat in irrigated crops. Long harvest expected because of extreme variations in crop maturity. Haying difficult although quantity is excellent. Quality is average with a lot of brown hay being baled. Rainy weather, high humidity slows curing. Export quality alfalfa and timothy will be in short supply this fall.
SaskatchewanNorth
The drought in the northwest has pushed crop development ahead. Peas and early-seeded canola ready for swathing. Wheat is in the dough stage but barley is being swathed. In the northeast, harvesting of winter cereals winding up. Barley and wheat are in the soft dough stage. Some canola is starting to turn. Producers hope to control the second generation of diamond-backs and Bertha army worms in one spraying.
Central
Early Polish canola and winter crops have been swathed. Diamond-back moths and Bertha army worms are appearing. Crops in the southeast are still two to three weeks away from general swathing. Root rot is a problem in many canola fields. Diamond-backs and Bertha army worms are also a problem.
Some fields near McNutt have been flooded and the crops drowned. There has been substantial hail damage near Melville.
South
Southwest crops are ready for swathing. Spring cereals are within 10 days of swathing. Winter crops should be combined this week. Pest problems are small. Aphids are appearing in canaryseed.
Southeast has excellent crops but serious threats from pests. Pest problems are grave in many areas. Producers are spraying heavily for Bertha army worms and diamond-back moths. Early-seeded wheat might be swathed soon.
Manitoba
Northwest/Interlake
Soil moisture is adequate in most areas because of recent timely rains. Wheat is starting to turn. In the eastern parts of the interlake, some farmers are starting to swath barley. Harvest of wheat and early canola will start in two weeks in some areas. Spraying for diamond-back moths and Bertha army worm is general in the southern interlake. Fusarium looks common around Warren, especially in Roblin wheat. Cattle producers have severe hay and pasture shortages.
West
Most areas need rain, but before the August long weekend, forecasts called for sun and heat. Barley swathing won’t start for a couple of weeks. In the southern region, spraying for diamond-back moths and Bertha army worm is general. Wheat midge present. Insects are not a problem in northern region. Blackleg in canola looks minimal. Conditions favorable for late blight in potatoes.
Red River Valley
Most areas need rain to help crops finish filling out; more heat could burn some crops. Spraying for Bertha army worms is general. Around Morden, some flax is only 40-55 centimetres tall. Peas are still flowering. Sunflowers and corn are thriving in the heat. Some barley will be harvested in the eastern part of the region this week. Harvesting will not be general until later in August. Fusarium is present, but at lower levels than last year. Sclerotinia white mould has been spotted in field beans.
Highlights:
“(Crop maturity) is a real mixed bag. It depends on the area: Some were wet to begin with and when it did rain, it rained only in spots.”
-Brian Mauthe, Manitoba Pool Elevator agent, Morden
