Crop Conditions: 
Generally, crops are rated as fair to good in most areas of southern Alberta. In the southern portion of our region most pulse crops have been sprayed with pre-harvest desiccants and combining has started. Cereals are in firm dough to ripe stages and are being combined in some locations. Oil seeds are at pod filling stage and are beginning to dry down.

In the central and northern areas cereals are in firm dough stages and are ripening. Pulse crops are at various stages of maturity. Some early crops have been sprayed with pre-harvest desiccants. Some combining of early peas has started in the Lomond and Milo areas. Insect pests are at low levels and with crop rapidly advancing in maturity, insecticide treatments aren’t required.

Harvest Progress: 
South of Hwy 3 harvest has ramped up. Approximately 75 – 90 % of pre-harvest spraying has been done. Combining of lentils has started with yields ranging from 25 – 35 bushels/acre. Combining of barley has started with yields in the 70 – 100 bushel range. Dryland pea yields are in the 30 – 60 bushels/acre range. Some irrigated peas are yielding >80 bushels/acre.

In the northern half of our region pre-harvest spraying of pulse and cereal crops has started this week and is approximately 20 – 30 % complete. Combining is expected to begin in the next one to two weeks.

Temperature and Precipitation:
Continued warm day time temperatures have been the norm across southern Alberta. Since the beginning of July there has been very little to no significant rainfall across our market area.

See precipitation summaries for Lethbridge, Brooks, Medicine Hat and Foremost.