Crop Conditions as of September 19, 2017

 
 
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Crop Conditions as of September 19, 2017

Cooler weather has moved into the province bringing precipitation and frost to most areas. Precipitation in amounts of light showers in the South to rain in the Northern regions and the Peace has slowed harvest progress. Killing frosts below minus 2 Celsius were experienced across much of the province (See Map). Yield and grade damage is anticipated in the northern regions as some late seeded crop may have been susceptible to damage.

Harvest progress is estimated at 56% completed with a further 18% in the swath compared to the 5 year average of 53% combined and 25% swathed (See Table #1). The provincial crop yield index was virtually unchanged since last report at 95.2% as yield improvements in the South were offset by yield declines in the Central and Peace regions. Yield indexes in the North East and North West regions were unchanged (See Table#2). With better than half the crop in the bin, quality has been very good. 94% of the spring wheat and 82% of the durum is reported in top 2 grades.

Soil moisture ratings improved with the precipitation this week. Surface moisture rose 8 points on the week to 54% good or excellent and sub soil moisture rose 3 points to 53% rated good or excellent. Fall seeded crops are performing poorly at this time with only 15% in the South and 29% in the Central regions rated in good or excellent condition.

Pasture conditions declined to 35% rated good or excellent from 38% last week.


REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS:
The 2017 Alberta Crop Report Series continues to provide summaries for the following five regions:

Region One: Southern (Strathmore, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost)
  • Harvest is nearing completion with 94% in the bin well ahead of the 5 yr ave of 75% harvested/13% swathed. Principally, only late harvested crops such as sugar beets, potatoes and flax remain outstanding.
  • Yield Index rose to 74.0% from 72.6% on last report. Yield estimates increased by 0.5-1 bushel/acre for spring wheat, durum, and barley. Little change to yields of winter wheat, canola and field peas.
  • Soil moisture ratings improved marginally. Surface moisture saw rating for Poor drop to 63% from 66%. Sub soil rating up 1 percentage point to 19% good.
  • Pastures rated 71% Poor; 18% Fair; 9% Good; 2% Excellent (unchanged from last week).
  • Quality is very good despite difficult growing season. 88% of spr. wheat & 80% of durum in top 2 grades. 73% of barley grading 1 CW or better. 74% of canola grading 1-Canada. 89% of field peas in top 2 grades.

Region Two: Central (Rimbey, Airdrie, Coronation, Oyen)
  • Harvest progress improved by 13 percentage points on the week to 70% combined/17% in the swath. The 5 year average is 41% harvested and 26% in the swath.
  • Pea harvest is virtually complete, three-quarters of the spr. wheat & barley and half the canola is in the bin.
  • Yield Index fell 1 point to 95%. After a significant upward adjustment on the previous yield report, yields estimates were reduced by 1-2 bushels/acre for most major crops. Canola was unchanged.
  • Precipitation improved surface soil moisture ratings to 39% good/excellent from 24% last week. Sub soil ratings rose 4 points to 30% good/excellent.
  • Pastures showed some improvement. Currently rated 47% Poor; 34% Fair; 29% Good; 0% Excellent.
  • 95% of spring wheat & 98% of durum in top 2 grades. 82% of canola grading 1-Canada.

Region Three: North East (Smoky Lake, Vermilion, Camrose, Provost)
  • Harvest progress slowed by precipitation at 30% combined & 27% in the swath, up 5 points for the week. 5 year average is 46% combined/34% swathed. Pea harvest is nearing completion, while one-third of the spr. wheat, and 20-25% of the barley and canola are in the bin.
  • Yield Index was unchanged at 109% with canola estimate up half a bushel and peas down half a bushel/acre.
  • Pasture ratings declined to 6% Poor; 43% Fair; 46% Good; 5% Excellent.
  • Early for quality. 98% of wheat and 86% of field peas in top 2 grades; 97% of barley grading 1 CW or better.

Region Four: North West (Barrhead, Edmonton, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca)
  • Harvest progress affected by precipitation and delayed maturity. Progress improved only 4 points this week to 14% combined/28% swathed. 5 year average is 36% combined/34% swathed. Peas nearing 90% complete, spring wheat & barley at 15-20% harvested, canola at less than 5% in the bin.
  • Yield Index was unchanged at 98.3%. Individual crop yield changes were minimal this week.
  • Pasture ratings declined to 7% Poor; 53% Fair; 30% Good; 10% Excellent.

Region Five: Peace River (Fairview, Falher, Grande Prairie, Valleyview)
  • Harvest progress affected by precipitation late in the reporting period. Progress improved 15 points this week to 32% combined/30% swathed. 5 year average is 56% combined/24% swathed. Three-quarters of peas have been combined, spr. wheat & barley at 45% harvested, and canola at 13% in the bin.
  • Yield Index declined to109.7% largely on a 1.5 bushel/acre reduction to the canola yield.
  • Soil Moisture ratings at 76% rated good or excellent for surface and 72% rated good/excellent for sub soil.
  • Pasture ratings unchanged at 2% Poor; 22% Fair; 56% Good; 20% Excellent.
  • Early for quality. 97% of the spring wheat & 82% of the field peas in top 2 grades; 92% of barley grading 1 CW or better; 98% of canola currently grading 1-Canada.

Agriculture Financial Services Corporation
James Wright, Risk Analyst
Actuarial, Analytics & Forecasting Unit
E-mail: James.Wright@afsc.ca
Phone: 403-782-8336
Lacombe, Alberta

September 22, 2017

Note to Users: The contents of this document may not be used or reproduced without properly accrediting Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Economics and Competitiveness Branch, Statistics and Data Development Section
The 2017 Alberta crop reporting series is available on the Internet at: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sdd4191


 
 
 
 
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This information published to the web on September 22, 2017.