Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development is reporting good news on the harvest front, as continued warm weather helps farmers get the 2013 crop into the bin.
Sunny conditions have helped accelerate the maturing of fields in Central Alberta, said a report issued by the provincial department last Friday, although showers Sept. 6 and 7 did slow swathing and combining activity in some areas.
As of last week, nearly 20 per cent of crops in this region had been harvested, including 16 per cent of canola. That pace is behind the seasonal norm.
Yields for major crops in Central Alberta were estimated to be above average.
Overall across the province, Alberta Agriculture officials place yields at above 10-year averages, with good quality. They also noted that most hay has been harvested, with yields average and quality rated at 65 per cent good to excellent.