A snapshot of harvest conditions and progress across the Prairies.
MANITOBA
Interlake/East
- In the Interlake, rain returned Oct. 6 after dry weather and higher daytime temperatures last week.
- Sunflower and soybean harvests are underway.
- Wet field conditions persist in the north.
- Cereals are poor due to fusarium and sprouting, with variable yields.
- Eastern regions experienced good harvesting weather.
- Soybean harvest continues.
- Sunflowers with head rot have poor yields and contaminated samples.
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Central/Red River Valley
- Light frost was reported in most central areas.
- Canola and flax yields are average to above average.
- Fall field work and fertilizing are underway.
- Pasture growth is better than average for this time of year. Cattle are grazing longer than usual.
West
- In the south, farmers made excellent harvest progress.
- Light frost reported.
- Areas along Highway 45 have the most acres left to harvest.
- Second cut haying continues.
- In the north, soil moisture varies from ideal to full.
- Yield potential looks good on corn silage.
- Hay and pastures are in fair condition.
SASKATCHEWAN
Central
- Widespread rain halted harvest. Most combining is now done. Crops are good around Saskatoon.
- Variable crop progress made in Kindersley/Rosetown on flax due to wide variability in maturity.
- A large amount of canola came off in latter part of week as farmers finished up on cereals.
- Quality looks good and yields are better than expected.
- Green seeds are a problem in later seeded canola.
North
- Good harvest progress in excellent fall weather conditions, but still a fair bit of crop left to be harvested on larger farms.
- North Battleford saw more than 25 millimetres of rain.
- Pastures are benefitting from fall moisture.
South
- Hailed out crops that re-established are among the last to be harvested.
- Crop yields are variable around Assiniboia and Mossbank.
- Crops are coming off with good moisture levels.
- Moose Jaw reported at least 11 mm of rain.
ALBERTA
Peace, Northeast
- Yields are poor in drought areas, with most of the harvest now complete.
- Smoky Lake, St. Paul and Bonnyville are reporting average to above average yields.
- Frost damage lowered grades on some wheat crops.
- Canola yields are approximately 20 bu. per acre in the Peace region.
Central
- Good to slightly above average yields reported.
- Harvest is about 85 percent done, with good progress made in generally excellent harvest conditions.
- Some showers were reported in the region.
- A good crop of canola is expected to grade No. 1, with harvest work still to be done north of Edmonton.
- Farmers finishing up canola harvest, with some waiting for green seed count to go down before continuing.
South
- Good to above average crop on dryland acres.
- Harvest is 95 percent complete.
- Canola yields are 50 to 60 bu. per acre, with decent quality reported.
(Crop conditions as of Oct. 6)
The Western Producer October 9, 2008
