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.
Read Also
Rented farmland jumps 3.4 million acres in Saskatchewan and Alberta
Farmland rented or leased in the two provinces went from 25.7 million acres in 2011 to 29.1 million in 2021, says Census of Agriculture data.
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
