Hot, Dry Weather Desirable

The risk of an early fall frost and its impact on crop quality continues to be one of the greatest concerns.  An additional five to 10 days of hot, dry weather is needed to hasten crop maturity. Most of the canola crop is finished flowering with earliest fields generally having about 20 to 40% seed colour change. Swathing is just beginning in the very earliest fields with about 2 to 5% of the canola crop swathed to date. Swathing is expected to become more general across the Prairies in the next week to 10 days. All regions need significant heat and the absence of the first significant fall frost until at least mid to late September.

The latest crop report from Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture is available at:
http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/crprpt090819
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