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
Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction overturned by N.Y. appeals court
New York's highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction, reversing a landmark ruling of the #MeToo era in determining the trial judge improperly allowed women to testify about allegations against the ex-movie mogul that weren't part of the case.
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that is banned at Queen’s Park.
CTE: Researchers believe widespread brain injury may contribute to veteran suicide rate
Researchers are working to better understand if some Canadian military veterans may be suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE -- a disorder previously found in the brains of professional football and hockey players after their death.
1 arrested in northern Alberta during public shelter order
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
New deep-water channel allows first ship to pass Key bridge wreckage in Baltimore
The first cargo ship passed through a newly opened deep-water channel in Baltimore on Thursday after being stuck in the harbor since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed four weeks ago, halting most maritime traffic through the city's port.
First in Canada procedure performed at London, Ont. hospital
A London man has become the first person in Canada to receive a robotic assisted surgery on his spine. Dave Myeh suffered from debilitating, chronic back pain that led to sciatica in his right now and extreme pain in his lower back.