Brief Heat, More Needed

The risk of an early fall frost and its impact on crop quality continues to be one of the greatest concerns.  A few days of summer-like temperatures (high 20’s to low 30’s) appeared in a number of areas before the rains began and crop development was noticeably accelerated. However, it was not long-lived and it appears cool daytime temperatures and low overnight temperatures (down to single digits) have returned. Light frost was again reported in parts of Alberta. On Friday morning, temperatures of -0.5 to -2oC were reported at Morinville and Dapp, respectively and -1oC was reported at Beaverlodge in the Peace region.  The canola crop is generally finished flowering with earliest fields generally having about 10 to 20% colour change. Swathing is just beginning in the very earliest fields that are reaching 30 to 40% colour change in southwestern Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Southern regions are about a week to 10 days away before swathing becomes general and northern regions are about two or three weeks away. All regions need significant heat to hasten crop maturity. The absence of the first significant fall frost until at least mid to late September is also important.

The latest crop report from Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives is available at:http://web2.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/mwcr/index.php
The latest crop report from Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture is available at:
http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/crprpt090810
The latest crop report from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development is available at:
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sdd4191#2009
The following maps show growing degree days accumulating across western Canada this growing season:http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prtgdd_e.htm