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Alberta’s harvest numbers are down from five year average

Sep 24, 2018 | 5:35 PM

 

CYPRESS COUNTY, AB — Harvest weather has been less than ideal for farmers in Alberta.

It has already been a challenging summer with smoke and high temperatures.

Now, we’re just two days into fall and some places in Alberta already have snow.

Dustin Vossler, Cypress County AG service board chair, says the wet and cold temperatures are causing some issues for him.

“We were having a really good run at things, but now were getting into the end of September with this cooler weather,” said Vossler. “You usually you know still get a couple of plus 30s here and there, but we’re having a really hard time getting stuff to cure out, so that we can actually continue combining now.”

Farmers in some parts of the province are also dealing with an early frost and snow.

As a result harvest has slowed considerably.

The cooler weather has resulted in the percentage of major crops in the bin well below the five year average.

As of September 18th harvest progress for the south zone is 68.%, and the five year average is 76.6%.

The provinces five year average for this time is 52.2% and progress currently sits at 32.6%.

Vossler says farmers in area still have some work to do.

“You hear everybody from they’re 50% complete, to they’re completely done. So, some guys have got their stuff off and they’re looking quite good but there’s still, if you drive around, there’s still a lot of crop laying in this general area.”

Vossler is still working on his harvest and he just needs some warmer temperatures to lower the moisture levels on his fields.

“We’re at the point right now where if you get four or five hours combining a day, that’s all you’re going to get with weather like this.”

Larry Wooliams owns a farm near Airdrie and he’s worried the colder weather will result in his valuable beer malt being turned into livestock feed.

“I’m concerned right now with the moisture that we’re having and all the fog that we’ve been having. You know my quality is going down as the crop is still in the field,” said Wooliams.

Wooliams says harvest is tricky in the best seasons, so his crew is ready to go when the weather cooperates.

Vossler added that with the way this season has gone he wouldn’t be surprised if things warmed up in October.

With snow on the ground right now Vossler saw a video of some guys making the most of the snowy areas.

“Seen a couple of guys skiing behind a combine. So, you know everyone is trying to make the best out of the worst situation. With any luck, we’ll get it off. We always do,” said Vossler.