Market Update

Ag Crop Report

Favorable harvest conditions continued over the past week, helping producers harvest their crops at a steady rate.

For the full crop reports please click on the links below:

Alberta
As of October 12th:

• Favourable harvest conditions in 2021 advanced harvesting operations by three to four weeks across the province.
• While harvest is practically complete in the South, Central and North East Regions, about 98 per cent of crops in the North West Region and 95 per cent of crops in the Peace Region are now in the bin (see Table 1).
• Provincially, harvest progress is now 99 per cent complete, well ahead of the 5-year average of 71 per cent and the 10-year average of 81 per cent.
• About 0.5 per cent of major crops are in swath and 0.7 per cent remain standing.
• When compared to the averages, harvest progress is well ahead for all regions (see Figure 1).

Saskatchewan
As of October 4th:

• Harvest is practically complete in the province, with nearly all regions having 99 per cent of the crop in the bin.
• The five-year (2016-2020) average for harvest progress for this time of year is 79 per cent.
• Producers continue to do post-harvest work in the fields such as harrowing, weed control and preparing to or bringing livestock home.
• There have been reports that the dry soil conditions and recent cold temperatures have limited fertilizer and herbicide applications.
• Harvest weather was favourable throughout the fall, allowing producers to harvest without major delays from rain or waiting for crops to mature.
• The season-long drought and extreme temperatures caused crop yields to be much lower than average; however, most crops were reported to be within the top two quality grades.
• Several small rain storms in early-September meant most of the province experienced regrowth in pastures and fields. This regrowth caused issues with harvest, especially in crops like canola.
• Producers had to apply herbicides or find other solutions in order to begin harvest.

Manitoba
As of October 13th:

• Extremes in weather characterized the 2021 growing season, from extremely dry topsoils in spring, to extreme heat in late June and early July, followed by minimal rain over that time, to above normal rains for the month of August in much of the province.
• A lack of snowmelt and dry soils meant seeding began in early to mid-April, well ahead of the normal generalized start and recent years (Table 1).
• Severe frosts touched down over nearly all of Manitoba between May 26 to 28, causing crop injury, delayed emergence and slow growth in cereals and forages.
• Many farmers with canola crops struggling against intense flea beetle or cutworm feeding were forced to reseed.
• Much-needed July rains during peak crop water demand and growth failed to arrive, leading to widespread downgrades in crop yield outlook, with many average crop yields well below provincial averages, in turn triggering a high volume of crop insurance claims.
• Late August rains were too late to improve yield prospects for early crops, but did benefit soybeans and sunflowers most noticeably.

Montana
As of November 21st:  

• Some areas of western Montana received over 1.0 inch of rain last week, but for the most part the state remained dry, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.
• Temperatures once again ran above normal for the majority of the state, with readings as much as 6.0 degrees above the average in some areas.
• According to the United States Drought Monitor for November 11, 2021, 100.0 percent of the State is experiencing drought conditions. Unchanged from the previous week, severe drought was found in 30.3 percent of the state. Extreme drought was experienced in 47.4 percent of the state, up 0.3 points from 47.1 the previous week. Exceptional drought was reported in 22.3 percent of the state, down 0.3 points from the previous week’s 22.6 percent.
• Several reporters commented on the need for more moisture. In Judith Basin county, ranchers fed livestock due to the dryness.
• In Teton county, the dry pattern continued along with warm temperatures and wind. Garfield and Phillips counties were also looking for moisture.
• Valley county also reported high winds but with cooler temperatures. Much needed rain or snow was received in some areas of the county.
• Subsoil moisture conditions were rated 6 percent adequate compared to 38 percent the previous year.
• Corn progress increased to 84 percent harvested, up 4 percentage points from last week.
• Sugarbeet harvest stood at 83 percent compared to 80 percent the previous week and 89 percent the previous year.
• Winter wheat planting was complete with 81 percent emerged.
• Farmers remained concerned that wheat stands were thin and growth lacking in some areas. Farmers also hoped for snow cover to protect their stands.
• Movement of cattle increased slightly to 79 percent, up two percentage points from the previous week.
• Sheep movement likewise increased slightly to 81 percent compared to 78 percent the previous week.
• An estimated 43 percent of cattle and 47 percent of sheep were receiving supplemental feed.

North Dakota
As of November 22nd:

• For the week ending November 14, 2021, there were 4.1 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.
• Topsoil moisture supplies rated 16% very short, 28% short, 53% adequate, and 3% surplus.
• Subsoil moisture supplies rated 32% very short, 31% short, 35% adequate, and 2% surplus.
• Field Crops Report:
  • Winter wheat condition rated 7% very poor, 23% poor, 42% fair, 25% good, and 3% excellent.
  • Corn harvested was 90%, behind 96% last year, but well ahead of 69% for the five-year average.
  • Sunflowers harvested was 83%, behind 92% last year, but ahead of 73% average.

South Dakota
As of November 22nd: 

• For the week ending November 14, 2021, there were 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.
• Topsoil moisture supplies rated 9% very short, 23% short, 63% adequate, and 5% surplus.
• Subsoil moisture supplies rated 12% very short, 33% short, 53% adequate, and 2% surplus.
• Field Crops Report:
  • Corn harvested was 89%, behind 95% last year, but ahead of 79% for the five-year average.
  • Winter wheat condition rated 6% very poor, 20% poor, 41% fair, 31% good, and 2% excellent.
  • Sorghum harvested was 93%, behind 98% last year, but ahead of 86% average.
  • Sunflowers harvested was 83%, near 80% last year, and ahead of 73% average.