“We applaud our producers’ dedication to growing the high-quality agricultural products people around the world enjoy as they gather and create memories over the food we produce right here in Alberta,” Sigurdson said in a prepared statement on Oct. 24.

The ag department issued its last crop report for 2025 on Oct. 17, with the harvest of Alberta’s major crops slightly more than 99 per cent finished. That exceeded the five-year average by two points and stood 16 ahead of the 10-year average.

“Hot, dry weather through late summer and into fall supported a rapid harvest pace that kept farmers working hard to ensure crops were off the fields before the weather shifted,” Sigurdson said.

At about 16 per cent good to excellent, surface soil conditions in Alberta were well below the five-year average of 40 per cent, the crop report noted last week.

“For some areas of the province, 2025 was a difficult growing season and most parts of the province are entering winter with dry soil conditions. We are hopeful for above-average winter snowfall as well as the spring rains farmers need to replenish soil moisture and support crop growth in 2026,” Sigurdson added.

Despite those trying conditions, the quality ratings for Alberta’s spring wheat, barley and canola were above average. However, quality of the durum, oats, dry peas was below average.

The crop report also placed the fall-seeded crops at 32 per cent good to excellent, down two points from the previous week and 22 below the five-year average.

The province’s agriculture department reported 99.4 per cent of Alberta’s major crops were combined as of Oct. 14, 3.1 points more than in the previous week, compared to the five-year average of 97 per cent and the 10-year average of 83 per cent. The northwest region’s harvest was 100 per cent complete, while the central region was at 98.9 per cent. All other regions were within one point of finishing operations.

The harvests for all major crops were either completion or less than a point away from completion, except for canola at 98.5 per cent.

Despite recent rain and snowfall in some areas, the added moisture wasn’t enough to improve fall-seeded crop quality provincewide. The northeast and northwest regions saw improvement from the past week, while the south region was steady and the central region declined. Crops in the south region were rated at 51 per cent good to excellent, compared to 26 per cent in the northwest, 16 per cent in the central region and 11 per cent in the northeast. There were no fall-seeded crops reported in the Peace region.

Provincially, surface moisture conditions were down slightly to 16 per cent good to excellent, below the five-year average of 40 per cent. Regionally, surface moisture conditions rated good to excellent were at 22 per cent in the south region, nine per cent in the central region, seven per cent in the northeast, 22 per cent in the northwest and 29 per cent in the Peace region.

Sub-surface moisture conditions rated good to excellent remained steady at 18 per cent, below the five-year average of 37 per cent. Regional good to excellent ratings for sub-surface soil moisture was at 23 per cent in the south, 13 per cent in the central, 10 per cent in the northeast, 19 per cent in the northwest and 30 per cent in the Peace region. Most parts of the province are entering winter with dry soil conditions and average or higher winter snowfall, as well as spring precipitation will be needed to replenish soil moisture and support crop and forage growth in the coming season.

Most producers had already begun moving cattle off pastures and feeding livestock at home. Provincial pastures with good to excellent growth conditions declined by two points to 15 per cent, below the five-year average of 29 per cent. Regional good to excellent pasture conditions were at 29 per cent in the south region, five per cent in the central region, one per cent in the northeast, 14 per cent in the northwest, and 27 per cent in the Peace region.

Provincially, forage reserves were rated at 10 per cent deficit, 19 per cent possible shortfall, 62 per cent adequate, and nine per cent surplus. The feed grain reserves were rated at three per cent deficit, nine per cent possible shortfall, 76 per cent adequate and 12 per cent surplus.

The harvest progress compares with the five-year average of 93 per cent done. Peas were fully harvested, while spring wheat, barley and oats were “virtually complete.” Canola was 92 per cent combined, six points ahead of the five-year average.

Fall-seeded crop progress remained closely tied to soil moisture conditions, said the report, with 34 per cent of fall seeded crops in good to excellent condition. That was down six points from the previous week.

Yield estimates for the major crops were generally above the five-year average, according to the report. Average spring wheat yields of 55.7 bushels per acre were 23 per cent above the five-year average. Barley yields were also 23 per cent higher, at 74.8 bu./ac. Provincial canola yields exceeded the five-year average by 20 per cent, at 42.6 bu./ac. and dry peas were up 33 per cent at 46.8 bu./ac. Provincial oat yields were steady with the five-year average at 77.0 bu./ac.

An estimated 76 per cent of Alberta’s hard red spring wheat crop graded No. 1 CW, which compares with the five-year average of 56 per cent. Just under half of the durum hit the No. 1 grade at 48 per cent, seven points off the five-year average. Barley saw 31 per cent of the crop grade as malt, in line with the average, with 60 per cent at No. 1 CW. For oats, 24 per cent graded No. 1 CW, 10 points below the average. Canola was up seven points in the top-quality category, with 92 per cent grading No. 1 Can.

By region, the Peace led the province at 93 per cent done, followed by the south at 91 per cent, the northwest at 90 per cent, the northeast at 89 per cent, and the central at 84 per cent. The regions were either near or ahead of their five-year averages.

Harvesting by crop

The dry pea harvest has wrapped up, with only a very minute amount to be combined in the central region. Alberta’s barley and spring wheat were tied at 96 per cent finished, with the oats at 91 per cent and the canola further back at 77 per cent.

Although the dry weather has been helpful for combining, the report noted some areas of the province haven’t received rain since August. Overall, the province’s surface soil moisture levels rated 15 per cent good to excellent, 25 points below the five-year average. The good to excellent ratings among the regions were: Peace 27 cent, northwest 23 per cent, south 22 per cent, central seven per cent and the northeast six per cent.

Dry conditions

The dryness has also taken a toll on the province’s pasture conditions, with them at 15 per cent good to excellent provincewide. Breaking that down, the south led at 32 per cent, the Peace 27 per cent, the northwest 14 per cent, central two per cent and northeast one per cent.

Those conditions have producers hoping there will be rain prior to freeze-up to encourage some late season pasture regrowth and set things up for spring.

Isolated showers had minimal impact on harvesting operations as 78 per cent of the province’s crops are now off the ground, an 18-point increase from a week earlier. This was compared to the five-year average of 69.8 per cent and the 10-year average of 56.2 per cent.

The south region led the way at 84.3 per cent, followed by the northwest at 80.1 per cent, the Peace region at 77.6 per cent, the northeast at 76.8 per cent and the central region at 71.5 per cent.

The winter wheat, dry pea, fall rye and lentil harvests are complete, while durum was 92.3 per cent done. The spring wheat harvest was at 88.8 per cent, while the barley harvest was at 87.4 per cent, followed by mustard at 84.9 per cent and oats at 82.1 per cent. The chickpea harvest was 71.1 per cent complete, compared to the canola harvest at 55.9 per cent, the potato harvest at 52.5 per cent and flax at 35.4 per cent.

Average crop yields were 76.2 bushels per acre for oats, 72.6 for barley, 54.6 for spring wheat, 46.8 for dry peas and 42.1 for canola. Except for dry peas, all estimated yields increased from the previous week.

Surface soil moisture in Alberta was measured at 34.1 per cent poor, 40.8 per cent fair, 23.2 per cent good and 1.9 per cent excellent. The five-year average was 45 per cent good to excellent. Sub-surface soil moisture was at 28 per cent good to excellent, down three points from last week.

Provincial pasture growth was rated at 28 per cent good to excellent, down four points from the previous report. This was below the five-year average of 32 per cent.

Fall-seeded crops were rated 40 per cent good to excellent, below the five-year average of 57 per cent. Provincial dryland hay yields were estimated at 1.3 tons per acre for the first cut and one ton per acre for the second cut, indicating that current dryland hay yields are in line with long-term averages. Provincial irrigated hay yields were only reported for the South Region and were estimated at 2.5 tons per acre for the first cut and 2.3 tons per acre for the second cut.

Using satellite imagery and agroclimate data, StasCan has shown crop conditions across the Prairies have been variable throughout the growing season. In some areas, lower-than-average precipitation and prolonged high temperatures resulted in below-average crop conditions at of the end of July, while parts of Western Canada that received sufficient precipitation saw above average crop conditions.

In Alberta, provincial reports indicated almost two-thirds of major crops were rated as being in good to excellent condition at the end of July, above the five-year average for the period of 53 per cent. Some areas lacked sufficient moisture and will likely impact yield.

In Saskatchewan, sufficient rainfall in some parts of the province resulted in normal crop development, while moisture stress attributed to dry conditions is reported to have resulted in some crops maturing ahead of normal. Parts of Manitoba received less than half the normal amount of precipitation throughout the growing season as of the end of July, and this—combined with high temperatures early in the growing season, may have impacted yields for some crops.

Wheat production is expected to decrease on lower yields

Nationally, wheat production is projected to edge down 1.1 per cent to 35.5 million tonnes in 2025/26, largely attributable to lower anticipated yields, which are expected to fall by 1.2 per cent to 49.6 bushels per acre. Harvested area is expected to remain steady, rising slightly to 26.3 million acres.

The decrease in expected total wheat production is largely attributable to spring wheat, which is anticipated to fall by two per cent to 26.0 million tonnes. The decrease is a result of lower projected harvested area, which is expected to fall by 1.5 per cent to 18.4 million acres, and lower yields, which are anticipated to fall a half per cent to 51.9 bu./ac.

Durum wheat yields are expected to fall 5.1 per cent to 35.1 bu./ac., offsetting higher harvested area, contributing to a decrease in durum wheat production to 6.1 million tonnes.

Wheat yields in Saskatchewan are expected to fall by 6.7 per cent to 41.8 bu./ac. in 2025/26, while harvested area is projected to drop to 13.8 million acres, resulting in a nine per cent decrease in production to 15.7 million tonnes.

Wheat production in Alberta is projected to climb by 12.5 per cent to 11.2 million tonnes in 2025, as a result of higher yields to 52.7 bu./ac. and harvested area of 7.8 million acres.

In Manitoba, wheat harvested area is expected to rise to 3.3 million acres, while yields are anticipated to decrease by 7.4 per cent to 60.6 bu./ac. Total wheat production is anticipated to fall by 6.2 per cent year-over-year to 5.4 million tonnes.

Higher yields are projected to push canola production up

Nationally, canola production is expected to increase by 3.6 per cent to 19.9 million tonnes in 2025/26. The anticipated increase in production was attributable to higher yields, which are expected to rise by 5.7 per cent to 41 bu./ac., offsetting lower harvested area, which is projected to decrease to 21.4 million acres.

Saskatchewan is expected to produce 5.9 per cent more canola in 2025, at 11.1 million tonnes. Yields are projected to increase by 5.1 per cent to 40.3 bu./ac., while harvested area is expected to edge up 0.8 per cent to 12.1 million acres.

Canola production in Alberta is expected to increase to 5.8 million tonnes. The anticipated rise is the result of higher yields to 41.5 bu./ac. mostly in the central part of the province, which received sufficient precipitation. Harvested area is expected to decrease to 6.1 million acres.

In Manitoba, yields are expected to increase by 8.2 per cent to 43.5 bushels per acre, while harvested area is anticipated to fall by 9.6 per cent to three million acres. As a result, production is expected to decrease to 2.9 million tonnes.

Corn for grain production is projected to increase on higher area

Nationally, corn for grain production is projected to increase to 15.6 million tonnes in 2025/26, with yields anticipated to fall to 165.9 bu./ac., while harvested area is expected to rise to 3.7 million acres. Drier-than-normal conditions in major corn-producing provinces, coupled with high temperatures, may have contributed to lower anticipated yields.

Manitoba corn production is anticipated to rise to a record 1.9 million tonnes by a whopping 10.3 per cent 2025. The expected increase in corn production was caused by higher harvested area to 596,600 acres. Yields are expected to fall by 7.8 per cent to 128.6 bu./ac., possibly because of dry conditions in the province.

Soybean production expected to decrease

Nationally, soybean production is projected to decrease by 7.3 per cent year-over-year to seven million tonnes in 2025/26 on lower yields to 45 bu./ac.. Harvested area is anticipated to increase to 5.7 million acres.

In Manitoba, soybean production is projected to decrease by 5.3 per cent to 1.6 million tonnes in 2025. Harvested area is expected to increase by 15.6 per cent to 1.6 million acres, though yields are anticipated to fall by 18 per cent year over year to 36.1 bu./ac. this year.

Farmers anticipate harvesting less barley and more oats

Nationally, farmers expect to produce less barley year over year to eight million tonnes in 2025/26, driven by lower harvested area, down 6.7 per cent to 5.5 million acres. Yields are projected to increase by 5.2 per cent to 66.5 bushels per acre. Alberta is expected to produce more barley, rising to 4.4 million tonnes because of higher yields to 69.4 bushels per acre.

In Saskatchewan, production is anticipated to decrease by 7.8 per cent to 2.8 million tonnes because of lower yields to 61.8 bu./ac. and harvested area to 2.1 million acres.

Southern Alberta led the regions with 52 per cent of its crops in the bin, followed by the northeast and northwest at 41 per cent complete apiece. The Peace was next at 38 per cent combined and the central clocked in at 31 per cent.

Cereals, pulses, oilseeds

Among the cereals provincially, the fall rye and winter wheat were close to being finished at 99 and 96 per cent done, respectively. Durum was next at 57 per cent, barley at 53 per cent, spring wheat at 49 per cent and oats at 39 per cent.

The combining of Alberta’s pulses were led by lentils and dry peas at 91 per cent each, with chickpeas further back at 36 per cent.

For the oilseeds, mustard was 54 per cent harvested and canola at 13 per cent.

Soil conditions

That lack of rain led to more declines in soil moisture levels, with the province’s surface soil 41 per cent good to excellent which is close to the five-year average. The central region fared the best at 63 per cent good to excellent, with the Peace further back at 38 per cent, the northwest 35 per cent, the south 34 per cent and the northeast 26 per cent.

With that, the second cut of dryland hay was rated at 64 per cent finished, while irrigated hay was 94 per cent. However, the quality placed the non-irrigated at 74 per cent good to excellent versus 71 per cent for irrigated. Yet, dryland yielded 1.1 tons per acre with irrigated 2.3.

Pastures rated 41 per cent good to excellent provincewide, six up on the five-year average. Tame hay areas were at 36 per cent good to excellent, two points below its average.

The report noted there was some uneven ripening in the wetter areas of the province.

Harvest progress

Among Alberta’s five agricultural regions, the south was furthest along at 33 per cent, progressing 13 points on the week. The northwest was second at 24 per cent done, advancing 18 points, followed by the Peace at 20 per cent finished, up 12 points. The northeast was next at 18 per cent harvested, climbing 14 points, and then the central region at 16 per cent complete, moving 13 points.

Crop-wise, Alberta’s dry peas were 77 per cent combined, progressing 27 points over the week. Spring barley and wheat were next at 29 and 26 per cent done, respectively. The wheat advanced 20 points and the barley was up 18. Oats were at 17 per cent finished, adding 14 points and the canola tallied three per cent complete, up from less than one per cent last week.

Soil moisture levels

While the weather conditions were favourable to field operations, they reduced soil moisture levels. The surface soil rated 45 per cent good to excellent, down 12 points, but two above the five-year average.

By region, the central was far ahead of the others at 67 per cent good to excellent. The Peace rated 38 per cent good to excellent, with the south and northeast at 36 per cent and the northwest at 35 per cent.

Alberta’s sub-surface moisture levels were 46 per cent good to excellent, losing eight points but five above its five-year average.

The week’s weather also slowed pasture growth, with some starting to turn brown. The province’s pastures were 44 per cent good to excellent and still above the five-year average of 35 per cent. As for the tame hay, it rated 38 per cent good to excellent, giving up six points on the week and was five under its five-year average.

Only 10.8 per cent of Alberta’s crops have come off the ground, according to the province’s weekly crop report. By comparison, the five-year average at this time was 14.7 per cent.

Fall rye and winter wheat harvests are near complete at 91.2 and 88.3 per cent, respectively. Lentils were at 62.3 per cent completion while dry peas were at 49.6 per cent. Durum was at 19.7 per cent, followed by chickpeas (16.5 per cent), barley (11 per cent), mustard (10.4 per cent), spring wheat (6.3 per cent), oats (3.7 per cent), canola (0.4 per cent) and mixed grain (0.1 per cent).

Provincial crop conditions were rated at 65 per cent good to excellent, with the five-year average at 50 per cent. The central region had the highest proportion of all crops rated as good to excellent condition at 93 per cent, followed by the northwest at 70 per cent, the south at 65 per cent, the northeast at 61 per cent and the Peace region at 27 per cent.

Copious amounts of moisture throughout the summer significantly aided crop yields. Alberta’s five-year dryland yield index was 118.6, or 18.6 per cent higher yield than the five-year average. The central region fared the best at 144.5, while the Peace region was the worst at 94.5. Oats had the highest yields at 71.8 bushels per acre, followed by barley (69.1), spring wheat (50.6), dry peas (47) and canola (39.7).

Alberta surface soil moisture was rated at 56.6 per cent good to excellent provincewide, 13 points above the five-year average. The central region was in the best condition at 81.1 per cent, while the south region was in the worst condition at 44 per cent, down nine points from the previous week.

Provincial sub-surface was rated 54 per cent good to excellent, above the five-year average of 42 per cent. Regional sub-surface soil moisture ranged from 81 per cent for the central region to 37(+1) per cent for the northwest.

Alberta tame hay growth was rated at 44 per cent good to excellent. Regional ratings were from 77 per cent in the central region (32 points ahead of the five-year average) to 20 per cent in the northeast (down 18 points). With warm temperatures, second cut of dryland hay is ongoing with 21 per cent of second cut complete compared to the five-year average of 28 per cent for this week. Second cut yields were estimated at 1.3 tons per acre, ahead of the five-year average of one ton/ac.

Provincial pasture conditions were 54 per cent good to excellent, ranging from 84.7 per cent in the central region to 27.1 per cent in the northeast.

Alberta’s harvest for major crops was at 2.3 per cent as of Aug. 19, below the five-year average of eight per cent. The south saw the most progress at 6.4 per cent, followed by the Peace region at 3.6 per cent. The remaining regions have harvested less than one per cent of their crops.

The dry pea crop was 16.7 per cent combined provincewide, with barley at 3.2 per cent and spring wheat at 1.1 per cent. The oats and canola harvest were both less than one per cent complete.

In total, 64 per cent of Alberta’s crops were rated as good to excellent, well above the five-year average of 50 per cent. The central region was rated the highest at 93 per cent, while the northwest was at 69 per cent, the south at 63 and the northeast at 60. The Peace region was rated at 26 per cent.

Major cereal crops approached the end of dough development and are expected to ripen in the coming weeks.

Surface soil moisture in Alberta was rated at 62.6 per cent good to excellent, surpassing the five-year average of 40.7 per cent. The central region led with 89 per cent, while the northwest was at 54 per cent and the south was at 53 per cent. The Peace region was at 51.1 per cent and the northeast region was at 50.3 per cent.

Sub-surface soil moisture was rated at 55 per cent good to excellent across the province, compared to the 41 per cent five-year average. The central region was at 81 per cent and the Peace region was at 52 per cent. The south was at 46 per cent, the northeast was at 45 per cent and the northwest was at 37 per cent.

Pasture growth conditions were stable compared to the previous week at 54.8 per cent good to excellent, above the five-year average of 39 per cent. The central region was rated the best at 86 per cent, while the south was at 48 per cent. The northwest was at 40 per cent, the Peace region was at 28 per cent and the northeast was at 25 per cent.

Despite cooler temperatures slowing tame hay growth in some areas, second-cut hay progressed well with good yields and high quality in places with sufficient soil moisture. Conditions in Alberta were 45 per cent good to excellent, on track with the five-year average. The central region had the highest rating at 80 per cent. Meanwhile, the south region was at 44 per cent, the northwest region was at 42 per cent, the Peace region was at 25 per cent and the northeast was at 16 per cent.