Alberta farmers are already out in the fields harvesting crops and many experts are predicting this to be a bumper year.
For some, the harvest started almost two weeks early this year because a warm winter allowed for earlier seeding. That factor combined with a wet spring and warm summer has enabled many to get an early start bringing in their crops.
This type of weather is almost perfect for growing the kind of crops we see in southern Alberta.
To top it off, a drought in the United States has driven prices way up and that means farmers here could see near record profits off their land.
Ken Weber is harvesting his barley crop near Mossleigh and says better crops mean better equipment.
“What you'll see is increased purchases by farmers of extra equipment. That's one thing we like to do when we have extra cash is buy a better tool and you’ll see more of that,” said Weber.
Weber’s crop is dong well and he is optimistic.
“The barley right now is yielding 80 to ninety bushes an acre which is a very good yield. I’ve heard pea crops at 50 to 60 bushels an acre so not only do we have great prices we have great yields,” said Weber.
Once his bills are paid, Weber expects to net about $100 for every acre on his 2400 acre farm.
The downside is that the high prices paid for the crops will be passed onto consumers.
Most of the barley grown in the province is used for feed and so it is likely that the price of beef will also increase.
Provincial Crop Condition Ratings (as of August 21/12)
|
|
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
Excellent |
|
Spr Wheat |
1% |
12% |
59% |
28% |
|
Durum Wheat |
1% |
10% |
62% |
27% |
|
Barley |
1% |
12% |
57% |
30% |
|
Oats |
1% |
12% |
59% |
28% |
|
Winter Wheat |
0% |
6% |
68% |
26% |
|
Canola |
2% |
12% |
57% |
29% |
|
Field Peas |
1% |
11% |
59% |
29% |
|
Hay/Pastures |
2% |
19% |
55% |
24% |
