Glacier FarmMedia — Harvest operations advanced to 96 per cent complete in Alberta as of Oct. 7, with only a few late-seeded cereal and canola fields remaining, according to the latest provincial crop report.
The harvest progress compares with the five-year average of 93 per cent done. Peas were fully harvested, while spring wheat, barley and oats were “virtually complete.” Canola was 92 per cent combined, six points ahead of the five-year average.
Fall-seeded crop progress remained closely tied to soil moisture conditions, said the report, with 34 per cent of fall seeded crops in good to excellent condition. That was down six points from the previous week.
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Yield estimates for the major crops were generally above the five-year average, according to the report. Average spring wheat yields of 55.7 bushels per acre were 23 per cent above the five-year average. Barley yields were also 23 per cent higher, at 74.8 bu./ac. Provincial canola yields exceeded the five-year average by 20 per cent, at 42.6 bu./ac. and dry peas were up 33 per cent at 46.8 bu./ac. Provincial oat yields were steady with the five-year average at 77.0 bu./ac.
An estimated 76 per cent of Alberta’s hard red spring wheat crop graded No. 1 CW, which compares with the five-year average of 56 per cent. Just under half of the durum hit the No. 1 grade at 48 per cent, seven points off the five-year average. Barley saw 31 per cent of the crop grade as malt, in line with the average, with 60 per cent at No. 1 CW. For oats, 24 per cent graded No. 1 CW, 10 points below the average. Canola was up seven points in the top-quality category, with 92 per cent grading No. 1 Can.
