Canada Freeze Damage, High Yields in Harvested Grains

September 19, 2011

Immature wheat and canola was killed by a hard freeze in Saskatchewan and Alberta, but productive yields are being reported in already harvested grains.  There still are questions about freeze losses in immature crops following a slow planting campaign and cool summer temperatures.  

Cool summer weather further delayed crops in western Saskatchewan, following a delayed planting. September warmth pushed crops closer to maturity: 

Saskatchewan experienced a hard freeze last week with temperatures in the mid 20s F. Alberta lows were mostly upper 20s F, still sufficiently cold for a killing freeze in canola, spring wheat and barley.

Northern growers in Alberta and Saskatchewan said crops were 10 days behind developmentally on August 1. Much above-normal temperatures  3 weeks prior to the freeze pushed crops closer to maturity.

Provincial Reports Confirm High Yields in Early Harvesting

The Alberta harvest was 11 per cent finished by September 8th, the latest crop report available, whereas in most years, the harvest would be 25-30 percent complete. Very good yields were being reported. The crop progress report indicated a high vulnerability to freeze damage. Read an excerpt from the September 8 report:

Overall, provincial average yields are estimated to be above their 10-year averages, with good quality. For the majority of crops still standing, especially in northern areas, quality will largely depend on receiving warm, dry weather, without a killing frost, over the next few weeks.

Saskatchewan crop harvesting was further along suggesting less freeze damage. Like Alberta, the harvested grain yields in Saskatchewan were reportedly very good in the early going: 

Freezing temperatures were recorded throughout most of the province on September 13, which will have some effect on the late-seeded crops. In general, crop yields are reported to be average to above-average with the exception of the areas in the south and southeast that received excess moisture in the spring.   Crop quality is good on the crop that has been combined to date.

Alberta is the number 1 producer of canola in Canada.   Saskatchewan is the leading wheat province. Manitoba, the number 3 producer of both commodities, did not have significant freeze damage due to more advanced crop ripening and harvesting.