WINNIPEG (Commodity Online) : Canadian province of Alberta completed 98 percent of its grain harvest this season thanks to above seasonal temperatures in the region.

According to latest update by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development department, about 98% of the crop is now in the bin, compared to 91% on October 8, when the last crop reporting survey was conducted.



Crops still in the field are mostly canola, although some cereals, flaxseed, and sugar beets remain to be harvested.

The harvest in the Peace River Region of northern Alberta continues to lag behind, with 11% of canola in swath and mostly covered by snow.

Much of the recently harvested grains were taken off with a high moisture content, and needed to be dried. The quality of these grains is also lower, compared to those combined earlier, the report said.

Overall, grade estimates for spring cereals are mostly favorable, while high green seed counts have lowered the quality of canola.

Based on the preliminary results of early samples of the 2009 crop in the bin, nearly 82% of hard red spring wheat and 88% of durum could be graded as No. 1 or No. 2. About 20% of barley could be of malt quality, while 76% of canola could be graded as No. 1.

For crops still in the field, there will likely be some quality deterioration, with the expectation of most cereals to be harvested as feed grains or forages.

Despite crop yields being higher than anticipated, provincial average yields are estimated to be significantly below their 10-year averages for cereals and dry peas. For canola, the provincial average yield is slightly below average.

Crop yields are markedly below average in many areas of the North East and North West Regions, and eastern parts of the Central Region, the report said.

Tame hay production this year was estimated to be significantly below the 10-year average, mainly as a result of the cool, dry spring and the lack of precipitation during much of the summer.

This has contributed to a shortage of forage and feed grain supplies in some areas, notably in the North East and North West Regions, and eastern parts of the Central Region.

Overall, forage reserves were reported as 21% deficit, 27% possible shortfall, 49% adequate, and 3% surplus, while the rating of feed grain reserves was 11% deficit, 20% possible shortfall, 60% adequate, and 9% surplus.

Some annual crops with poor yields have been salvaged for forage production, and this has helped compensate for the lower tame hay production this year.

Winter cereals seeded this fall were rated mostly as poor to good, the report said. Also, dry conditions remain largely unchanged in most areas of the province, despite the snow and rain received in October.

Overall, surface moisture was reported as 43% poor, 39% fair, and 18% good, while the rating of sub-surface moisture is 59% poor, 30% fair, and 11% good

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