Despite one of the warmest Augusts on record and below-normal rainfall, crop yields have been better than normal for Alberta farmers.

In addition to a cool wet start to the season, which saved soil moisture reserves, June rainfalls were largely responsible for supplying enough moisture for crop growth, according to the latest Alberta Crop Report, released on Friday.

Harvest has been in full swing over the past week, advancing progress by 17 per cent for major crops from a week ago. As of Sept. 6, about 37 per cent of all crops have been combined, less than last year’s progress of 45 per cent, but still ahead of both the 5-year (2017-2021) average of 27 per cent and the 10-year (2012-2021) average of 25 per cent.

Another 19 per cent of crops are currently in swath, while 44 per cent is still standing. Regionally compared to the 5-year and 10-year averages, harvest is advanced for all regions.

In the central region, showers from last weekend slowed harvest operations, but high temperatures dried up the fields quickly and harvest resumed, and advanced progress by 20 per cent.

Regionally, about 40 per cent of crops are now in the bin (compared to the 5-year average of 24 per cent), with another 18 per cent swathed and 42 per cent of crops still standing.

To date, the quality for the top two grades of all harvested crops are better than their 5-year averages, with number one oats on par with the 5-year average and number one dry peas below average.

Second cut haying on dryland is 76 per cent complete (well ahead of the 5-year average of 52 per cent), with yield estimated at 1.4 tons per acre, on par with the 5-year average.

For irrigated haying, it is 40 per cent complete (compared to the 5-year average of 21 per cent), with yield estimated at 1.3 tons per acre, slightly above the 5-year average of 1.2 tons per acre. Quality for dryland hay (irrigated hay shown in brackets) is rated as 23 (10) per cent fair, 76 (90) per cent good and 1 (0) per cent excellent.

Pasture growing conditions declined by 10 per cent and are now rated as 17 per cent poor, 54 per cent fair, and 29 per cent good.

Very hot and dry conditions over the few past weeks deteriorated surface soil moisture by 18 per cent. Surface soil moisture is now rated at 19 per cent poor, 46 per cent fair and 35 per cent good.

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