Hot, Dry Weather Pushes Harvest Ahead — But Moisture Reserves Take a Hit

Hot, dry weather across Alberta over the past week has sped up harvest and dried down crops quickly, giving producers a solid jump in progress — but at the cost of rapidly depleting soil moisture reserves.

Provincial harvest of major crops is now 22% complete, a 14-point jump from the week prior. That’s slightly ahead of both the five-year average of 21% and the 10-year average of 17% for this time of year.

Regional harvest progress of major crops:

• South: 33% complete (+13 from last week)
• Central: 16% (+13)
• North East: 18% (+14)
• North West: 24% (+18)
• Peace: 20% (+12)

Peas and cereals led the charge. Dry pea harvest is 77% complete, spring barley is 29%, spring wheat is 26%, and oats are 17%. Canola, usually the last crop off, is just 3% harvested, though 28% of fields are already swathed.

Moisture Ratings Sliding

While the heat is ideal for harvest, it is taking a toll on soil reserves.

• Surface moisture: 45% rated good to excellent (down 12 points from last week).
• Sub-surface moisture: 46% good to excellent (down 8 points).

The South and Central regions are holding above average thanks to July rains, but the North East, North West and Peace are falling below normal.