Alberta — Peace
A few weeks of dry weather are needed to get the harvest in the bins. About five percent of grain was in the bin and about 20 percent was swathed. Farmers have been using grain dryers. Disease has been widespread because of continuous wet conditions. Sprouting in standing cereals and peas has been reported in some isolated cases.
North/Central
Rainy conditions have prevailed across the north and central regions. The St. Paul area has had 53 centimetres of rain so far this year compared to serious drought the year before. Swathing ongoing between bouts of bad weather. In the central region, a killing frost hit in all districts but Oyen. About 50 percent of the harvest was done in the central parts with excellent results. Rainfall of about six cm last week has stalled all work. About 10 cm of snow blanketed the west side of Drumheller and lodged standing crops. North of Edmonton,less than five percent of the grain is in the bin and continuing rain has kept machines out of the fields. A killing frost struck Saturday and Monday.
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South
Showers in the Lethbridge region ended an 88 day dry spell while rainy weather has been the norm in the Calgary area for the last couple of weeks. In the far south, harvest is 90 percent complete with above average yields. A light frost during the weekend is still being assessed. Good yields on winter wheat in the southwest have convinced many farmers to try that crop again. North of the Bow River, operations have been delayed due to wet weather.
Saskatchewan — North
Forty-three percent of the northern crop has been combined, compared with 36 percent last week: Wheat, 37 percent; durum, 80 percent; oats, 26 percent; barley, 50 percent; flax, six percent; canola, 46 percent; mustard, 44 percent. The Prince Albert and North Battleford areas are the least advanced in the province at 35 percent done. An average of 20 millimetres of rain fell last week, halting operations. Sprouting, staining and bleaching of crops have been reported, along with wind damage.
Central
Harvesting is 48 percent complete, compared to 41 percent last week: Wheat, 42 percent; durum, 35 percent; oats, 36 percent; barley, 63 percent; flax, four percent; canola, 60 percent; mustard. Rainfall averaged 21 mm and has caused some bleaching, staining and sprouting, but also helped pastures. Eastern areas reported shattering and shelling from wind damage. Frost reported in some areas. Quality of this year’s crop is still expected to be good.
South
Farmers are 61 percent done, up slightly from 58 percent the week before: Wheat and durum, 60 percent; oats, 61 percent; barley, 75 percent; flax, seven percent; canola, 70 percent; mustard, 83 percent. Shaunavon and Maple Creek areas are furthest advanced at 85 percent. Rainfall averaged 31 mm last week. Frost occurred in some regions. Wind moved swaths and lodged crops in eastern areas.
Manitoba — Northwest/Interlake
Harvest progressed rapidly until Sept. 21 when showers brought combining to a halt. Crops in the south are about 60 percent combined and those in the north about25 percent. Wheat is averaging 35 bushels/acre with about half grading No. 1, with good protein. In the Interlake region some exceptional yields are reported. Average yields are wheat 45 bu/ac., barley 80 bu/ac., oats 90 bu/ac., canola 35 bu/ac. Above normal amounts of grain are being stored in fields because bins and elevators are full.
West
Harvest was slowed due to cool and moist weather with a few light showers. Combining in most of the region is 80 percent complete. Yields are being reported as average to slightly better than average. Fall weed control and tillage operations are under way.
Red River Valley
Showers during the weekend brought harvesting to a halt. About 90 percent of all wheat, oats and barley south of Highway 1 are combined and 75 percent north of the highway are done. Most of the canola has been swathed and combined in the Dominion City, Steinbach and Ste. Pierre areas. Around Beausejour and Dugald only 50 percent has been harvested. The sugar beet harvest started Sept. 23. All districts in the central region have reported very dry soil.
