Alberta Crop Report: Sept. 15, 2026

As of Sept. 15, precipitation ranging from 0.5 to 15 mm around the North West Region kept excessive surface soil moisture above average (currently 19 per cent compared to the five-year average of three per cent), and many farmers are choosing to swath canola and desiccate cereals to encourage ripening as crop maturity progresses slowly.

That’s according to the latest crop report by the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) and the Government of Alberta.

Harvest of major crops is nine per cent complete in the North West, behind the five-year average of 44 per cent.

Combining canola has just begun, but 45 per cent is in the swath. Dry pea harvest is most advanced at 65 per cent combined.

Tame hay growth conditions (five-year average) are rated as zero (29) per cent poor, eight (39) per cent fair, 69 (31) per cent good and 24 (zero) per cent excellent.

The report also said sub-surface soil moisture (five-year average) is rated as zero (21) per cent poor, 14 (36) per cent fair, 46 (36) per cent good, 28 (seven) per cent excellent and 13 (zero) per cent excessive.

Provincially, major crop harvest progressed only five per cent. The most progress was in the Central Region, up seven per cent, while the least progress was in the North East, up three per cent.

Provincial crop harvest is now 23 per cent complete, 35 per cent behind the five-year average and 21 per cent behind the 10-year average.

The AFSC says some areas in the South, Central and North East regions reported little to no progress, as showers were frequent over the week. Swathing of canola progressed 13 per cent provincially, as many producers are trying to advance maturity and manage second-growth flowering and weed growth. Many areas also reported the use of desiccation to advance crop dry-down.

Regionally, combining is at 46 per cent complete in the South, 29 per cent in Central, eight per cent in the North East, nine per cent in the North West and 13 per cent in the Peace.

Dry pea harvest is furthest ahead at 83 per cent combined, compared to the five-year average of 97 per cent, followed by barley at 40 (74) per cent. Canola has the least progress at four per cent combined, compared to its five-year average of 28 per cent.

While grain quality was reported near historical averages last week, the report notes there are growing concerns about sprouting, disease and canola dockage. Producers with on-farm dryers and aerated bins are harvesting cereals where they can, as there are reports of cereals being tough, especially in the North East and North West regions.

When it comes to surface soil moisture, good-to-excellent ratings increased three per cent since last week and is now rated 76 per cent good-to-excellent, compared to the five- and 10-year averages of 36 and 48 per cent, respectively.

The South and North East regions reported decreases of four and two per cent and are now rated 84 and 70 per cent good-to-excellent, the AFSC reports. The Central and North West regions are rated 65 and 79 per cent good-to-excellent, increasing seven and 14 per cent since last week, respectively. The Peace Region’s surface soil moisture, rated good-to-excellent, increased three per cent and is now 91 per cent good-to-excellent, the highest in the province.

Sub-surface soil moisture rated good-to-excellent also increased three per cent provincially and is now rated 66 per cent, compared to the five- and 10-year averages of 30 and 44 per cent. While the North West Region’s excessive sub-surface rating remained stable at 13 per cent, the good-to-excellent sub-surface decreased 12 per cent and is now rated 73 per cent, still above the five-year average of 43 per cent.

The report says other regional good-to-excellent ratings (five-year average) increased by up to eight per cent, with the South now rated at 59 (16) per cent, Central at 55 (32) per cent, North East at 71 (34) per cent and the Peace at 96 (45) per cent.

This past week also reported near normal to moderately cool temperatures relative to long-term normal and multiple reports of frost. While moisture conditions are rated very well, a break in the rain and warm days will be needed to advance harvest.

Pasture growth conditions continue to benefit from recent showers, as they remain greener than normal for mid-September in many areas, though reports of frost and the normal end-of-season decline will begin to slow growth.

The North West Region is currently rated at 94 per cent good-to-excellent growing conditions, significantly above its five-year average of 26 per cent. Similarly, pasture growth is rated as 50 per cent good-to-excellent (compared to the five-year average of 34 per cent) in the Peace Region, 56 (20) per cent in the South Region, and 56 (19) per cent in the North East Region. The Central Region is the only region with growing conditions rated below average, with 26 per cent good-to-excellent compared to the five-year average of 32 per cent.

Provincially, the AFSC says pasture growth conditions are rated 49 per cent good-to-excellent, above their five-year average of 30 per cent.

Tame hay conditions, while all rated above their respective five-year average, do not reflect the challenges around cutting and baling quality hay that many producers are still facing.

Currently, tame hay conditions are rated (five-year average) 58 (18) per cent good-to-excellent in the South, 37 (33) per cent in Central, 39 (16) per cent in the North East, 93 (31) per cent in the North West and 56 (33) per cent in the Peace Region.

Provincially, tame hay growth conditions are reported as 56 per cent good-to-excellent, compared to the five-year average of 27 per cent. Second-cut hay is limited and remains delayed.