Alberta harvest well ahead of five-year average

Harvest progress in Alberta reached 85 per cent complete as of Oct. 1, progressing 11 points on the week, the latest provincial crop report said. Although rain and cooler evening temperatures hampered further combining, the harvest stood 12 points ahead of the five-year average.

The province’s south was furthest along at 94 per cent finished, followed by the central region at 92 per cent, the northwest at 80 per cent, the northeast at 78 per cent and the Peace region at 75 per cent.

The Alberta dry pea harvest wrapped up as it hit 100 per cent, with the barley and spring wheat at 92 per cent, oats at 78 per cent and canola at 71 per cent.

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Fall-seeded crops came in at 57 per cent good to excellent, matching the five-year average, the crop report noted. Those crops in the south were at 76 per cent good to excellent, the central at 68 per cent, the northwest at 34 per cent, and the northeast at 25 per cent, while the Peace didn’t provide a rating.

The rain that fell maintained surface soil moisture ratings at 50 per cent good to excellent plus slightly below one per cent excessive. By region, the Peace was at 66 per cent good to excellent, the central at 60 per cent, the northeast at 47 per cent, the south at 44 per cent and the northwest at 34 per cent.

The province’s pastures were 35 per cent good to excellent overall with the Peace region leading the way at 57 per cent. Next was the central region at 50 per cent good to excellent, the central and northeast at 25 per cent and the northwest at 18 per cent.