As of Oct. 27, only 3% of Alberta's major crops were left to harvest, with Peace River at 89% and delays from cold and moisture; the final report warns of tough grain and canola dockage.
Harvest operations are virtually complete in most regions of Alberta, according to the final provincial crop report of the season published Oct. 30. As of Oct. 27, only 3% of the province's major crops were left to come off the field, with progress 99% complete in the south and central regions and 98% in the northeast and northwest. Fall-seeded crop conditions improved three percentage points on the week and stood at 72% good to excellent provincially.
The Peace River region progressed eight points on the week but still trailed the rest of Alberta at 89% complete. Oats were 91% harvested and canola 80% done, while an estimated 15% of the canola remained in swaths, waiting for cold and moisture to allow combining to resume.
The report said that "cool weather, overnight frost and a mix of rain and snow over the past week created challenges for northern producers working hard to get the remaining crop in the bin."
In the case of canola, producers were combining above recommended moisture levels and using grain dryers to try to get the crop off before lasting snow sets in. This practice increases already present concerns about tough grain and canola dockage from moisture, green material and weeds.
Rain or snow was reported in each of the regions over the weekend, which improved surface and sub-surface moisture conditions in the south and central regions, where harvest was largely finished. Provincially, surface soil moisture was rated 66% good to excellent and sub-surface 65%.
Spring wheat soil moisture reserves were near normal or above in most of the province, except in the western part of the central region; many areas of the south, northwest, northeast and Peace River were rated moderately high to extremely high. On the livestock side, some producers were starting to bring cattle home and wean calves, while others —especially in the northwest— were taking advantage of favorable pasture conditions to delay the use of winter forage. Pasture conditions fell two points to 46% good to excellent.
