Major Crop Rating Turnaround Continues in Alberta

WINNIPEG–Crop ratings in Alberta are far ahead of this time last year, according to the latest report from Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development.

As of Aug. 23, all crops province-wide rated 69% good to excellent, a far cry from the paltry 19% a year ago and a good amount above the five-year average of 55%.

The agency said 8% of all crops have been harvested.

Oats were the best-rated crop in Alberta and among cereals at 79% good to excellent. Spring wheat was 75% good to excellent, barley at 71%, while durum lags far behind at only 46%.

Canola leads the oilseeds at 68% good to excellent, according to the report.

There are signs of some trouble brewing as soil moisture levels were declining, the report noted. The lack of rain in August has been eroding the soil of the plentiful moisture brought by rains in June.

Source: Commodity News Service Canada, news@marketsfarm.com