Alberta harvest ahead of schedule, lower yields due to record heat
After a summer of record-breaking heat, most Alberta farmers have harvested their crops ahead of schedule while yields for some crops are significantly below normal levels.
The province’s crop report, released earlier this week, shows dryland yields of 63 per for major crops like barley, canola, dry peas, and spring wheat – significantly below the 10 year average.
“Cool wet weather caused varying degrees of delays in provincial harvest activities this week,” the Alberta Crop Report read. “Even with the delays, producers now have 78 per cent of the major crops in the bin.”
Regional ratings for yield estimates varied based on the amount of precipitation areas received.
- Official drought or not, Alberta farmers experiencing toughest summer in years
- 'The crops just stopped growing': Southern Alberta farmers say this could be worst season in 20 years
- Maritime farmers ship hay to drought-stricken prairies as ranchers run out of feed
According to the report, the South region – including Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Strathmore, and Foremost – fared the worst this season. The province expects there to only be yields of 17.8 per cent for spring wheat, 18.5 per cent for dry peas, 16.3 per cent for canola, and 25.9 per cent for oats.
“Hot, dry conditions were prevalent in the province up until mid-July,” the report said. “Since then large areas of southeastern Alberta have received 80 millimetres or less precipitation.
“The low precipitation accumulations in these areas are a concern and without fall and winter precipitation they will be at an elevated risk for next year’s plantings.”
Several regions declared agricultural disasters this year, including Kneehill, Rocky View, Big Lakes, and Lac St. Anne counties.
- Alta. county that flooded 2 years ago now declaring ag emergency over drought-like conditions
- Agricultural disaster declared in Big Lakes County
- Kneehill County, Alta. council declares agricultural disaster
The region encompassing Barrhead, Leduc, Drayton Valley, Athabasca, and Edmonton is projected to have the highest yields with 44.1 per cent of spring wheat, 28.8 per cent of dry peas, 53.3 per cent of dry oats, and 35.1 per cent of canola crops.
Pasture ratings tumbled this year with only 21 per cent listed in excellent or good condition. According to the province, the five-year average is around 46 per cent.
Mental health resources are available at:
- Alberta Addiction and Mental Health; 1-877-303-2642 or Dial 811
- The Support Network; 24-hour distress line for northern Alberta available at 1-800 232-7288
- Canadian Mental Health Association
- The Do More Agriculture Foundation
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.