Summary of crop conditions, week of Sept. 23 to Sept. 29.
Saskatchewan
North
The northern harvest is virtually wrapped up, with only a few odd crops out. There was lots of progress in the last week, although there was also some crop damage from sun and wind. Almost all crops are more than 95 percent harvested. Canaryseed and flax are further behind. The Tisdale and Hudson Bay region is behind the rest of the north, as it has been all summer. Wheat quality dropped because of crop damage. Only 58 percent now is expected to grade No. 1. Some deer damage reported. Pastures are poor to fair, with a good rain needed. Fall work is proceeding.
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Central
Ninety-seven percent of the central harvest is complete. All crops except canaryseed, sunflowers and flax are more than 95 percent complete. The Canora area is behind the rest of the region, with only 91 percent of the harvest complete. Wheat quality is good, with 81 percent expected to be No. 1. Some damage reported from geese, ducks and deer. Pastures are poor to fair. Cattle are coming off now. A good rain is needed. Fall field work is progressing, but hot weather has delayed some activities. Cool weather is needed.
South
Ninety-eight percent of the southern harvest is complete, with the west 100 percent done and the east further behind. Eighty-three percent of wheat is expected to grade No. 1. Pastures are poor to fair. Cattle are being put on stubble and given extra feed on pastures. Rain is needed. Producers are burning straw.
Manitoba
Northwest/Interlake
Harvest is nearly complete throughout most parts of the region, with the exception of some areas around Selkirk and toward the Red River Valley region which received precipitation over the last couple of weeks. Less than 50 percent of flax remains in the fields, but 95 percent of cereals and canola are taken off. Most fields have been worked over once. Seventy-five percent of alfalfa-seeded acres remain standing. Wheat is on average 35 bushels per acre, barley at 70 and canola 30.
West
Nearly all of the cereal crop has been taken off, with unharvested fields mostly flax and canola. The Swan River Valley is further behind due to moisture during the past few weeks, leaving harvest in the region about two-thirds complete. Yields are slightly below average mostly due to fusarium damage. Fall tillage is progressing. Only two frosts have hit the area resulting in minimal damage.
Red River Valley
Cereal harvest is generally complete in the region, with some flax still remaining due to wetter weather. Yields for cereals are slightly below average, with most wheat grading No. 2 due to long-range seasonal stress. Fall tillage is well under way, while some farmers are concentrating on flood-proofing measures and drainage work.
Alberta
Peace
The Peace district’s crop year has been rough with a late start and a slow finish. Seeding into muddy fields has resulted in lower yields for some farmers who will barely break even once all the bills are paid. Harvest is about 80 percent complete in the Fairview region thanks to four days of continuous hot, dry weather. Grain that came off tough is going straight to aeration bins. Farther north, the situation remains bleak as farmers are faced with continuing rain.
Central
Harvest is complete with good grade quality but lower than average yields on the eastern side of the province. Fall tillage is progressing with adequate soil moisture. Fall spraying for perennials has started. In the western portion, harvest is from 60 percent to complete. Yields range from average to lower than average. Quality is average and some malt barley has been accepted. Canola is number one but cereal grades dropped to number two because of early fall snow. Pastures are adequate and the last of the haying is being wrapped up.
South
Grain harvest is complete. Beans are finished at Taber and sugar beet mini harvest continues at a slow pace due to unseasonably warm temperatures. Irrigation continues on some dry fields. Straw is being baled and fall work is starting. Pesticide application has started. Alfalfa seed harvest showing yields of 450-600 pounds per acre with some reporting as much as 1,000 lb. Pastures are dry.
Source: Provincial agriculture departments, Alberta Wheat Pool, Saskatchewan Wheat
