Quality of western Canadian peas 2020

Growing and harvesting conditions

Figures 1a and 1b show monthly mean temperature difference from normal (Prairie region) during the 2020 growing season (June and July). Figure 2 displays total precipitation (Prairie region) from April 1 to October 31, 2020.

Across all Prairie provinces, producers began with the challenge of removing overwintered crops and preparing fields to plant new crops. Seeding began in late April to early May and was completed by early June in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and mid-June in Manitoba.

A slow snow melt and a cold and wet spring in Alberta left saturated soils, flooded fields and delayed seeding, especially in parts of the northwest, northeast and Peace River regions. Warm and drier conditions in the southern and central region during summer promoted crop growth. However, persistent wet weather in some areas of northern Alberta and Peace region deteriorated crop conditions and reduced yield (Figure 2). Harvest was advanced across Alberta with low precipitation and warm conditions in the fall. Field peas were harvested from mid-August to early October with variable yield and quality.

During spring in Saskatchewan, hail damaged some crops in the southwest and northeast regions and heavy rains had drowned out some fields in the northern regions. In summer, warm and dry conditions across the province advanced crop growth. However, yield of some crops in the central region was negatively impacted due to the lack of moisture (Figure 2). Favourable weather allowed peas to be harvested in early August and harvest was completed by mid-September with average yield and good quality.

During this growing season, the northwest of Manitoba experienced severe winds that blew soils along with seed and fertilizer, damaging emerged crops. Severe rainstorms in some areas of the southwestern, central and eastern regions also caused flooding and setback crop growth. Overall, warmer temperature in Manitoba had advanced crop development (Figure 1a & b). However, 70% to 80% of normal precipitation for the season (Figure 2) and non-timely rainfalls had led to prematurely ripening of some crops in the Interlake region. Field peas were harvested with minimal weather delays from early August to mid-September and had variable yield but good quality.

Figure 1a Monthly mean temperature difference from normal (Prairie region) during growing season (June 2020)

Figure 1b Monthly mean temperature difference from normal (Prairie region) during growing season (July 2020)

Figure 2 Total precipitation (Prairie region) during 2020 growing season (April 1 to October 31, 2020)