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
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Being harassed at work? What to consider when deciding what to do next
If you've been the victim of workplace harassment, it can be difficult to feel you're not alone - and even more difficult to know where to go with a complaint.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Half of Canadians support TikTok ban, with U.S. concerns 'trickling' north: poll
A new poll indicates 51 per cent of Canadians support banning the social media app TikTok, after a U.S. bill aiming to do just that passed in the House of Representatives.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.