Alberta Crop Report: Sept. 22, 2026

As of Sept. 22, it is expected that 89 per cent of hard red spring wheat and 58 per cent of oats in the North West Region are grading in the top two grades.

For barley, 12 per cent of malt varieties and 68 per cent of other varieties are grading as 1 C.W. Canola quality stands at 66 per cent rated as 1 Can. and 20 per cent as 2 Can., while dry peas are 32 per cent 1 Can. and 60 per cent 2 Can.

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

Meantime, sub-surface soil moisture (five-year average) is rated as one (20) per cent poor, 17 (30) per cent fair, 38 (42) per cent good, 32 (eight) per cent excellent and 12 (zero) per cent excessive.

Pasture growth conditions are rated as zero per cent poor, six per cent fair, 77 per cent good and 18 per cent excellent.

Last week provided drier conditions across most of the province, which, the report notes, allowed for provincial harvest of major crops to reach 39 per cent complete, an increase of 17 per cent. Harvest operations for dry peas advanced by eight per cent, spring wheat increased by 22 per cent, barley progressed by 21 per cent, oats advanced by 17 per cent and canola increased by 11 per cent.

In addition, swathing of canola continues to rise to 38 per cent of the provincial crop, a six per cent increase in the past week.

Regional harvest progress of major crops has progressed farthest in the South and Central regions at 63 and 44 per cent complete, a gain of 16 and 15 per cent respectively. The North East and North West regions each advanced by 21 per cent this week to both reach 29 per cent complete. The Peace Region also moved harvest ahead by 10 per cent to reach 23 per cent complete.

While harvest operations continue at a slower rate than historical averages, the AFSC says recent weather conditions are helping fields dry enough to support harvest equipment. Ongoing dry conditions would be welcomed by producers.

Quality estimates were updated this week as additional crops have been harvested. The percentage of cereal crops rated in the top grade (10-year average) of 1 C.W. is 64 (57) per cent for hard red spring wheat, 62 (54) per cent for durum wheat, 30 (31) per cent for malt varieties of barley, 61 (56) per cent for other varieties of barley and 21 (36) per cent for oats. For canola, the percentage of provincial crop rated as 1 Can. is estimated to be 90 per cent, near the 10-year average of 89 per cent. For dry peas, 28 per cent of the crop is estimated as 1 Can. compared to the 10-year average of 24 per cent, according to the report.

Provincial dryland yields for major crops are estimated to be 20 per cent above the five-year average and nine per cent above the 10-year average.

Regional dryland crop yields compared to five-year averages (change from two weeks ago) are expected to be 56 (-2) per cent higher in the South, 23 (zero) per cent higher in the Central, five (+3) per cent higher in the North East, 12 (-4) per cent lower in the North West and 16 (+7) per cent higher in the Peace.

Drier weather across most of the province helped to maintain surface soil good-to-excellent ratings by reducing excessive soil moisture in fields.

According to the report, provincial surface soil moisture is rated as 74 per cent good-to-excellent, a two per cent drop week-to-week while remaining above the five-year average of 37 per cent and the 10-year average of 51 per cent for this week.

Regional good-to-excellent ratings (change from last week) are reported as 79 (-5) per cent in the South, 64 (-1) per cent in the Central, 70 (zero) per cent in the North East, 79 (-1) per cent in the North West and 90 (-1) per cent in the Peace.

The AFSC says provincial sub-surface soil moisture decreased by one per cent over the past week to 65 per cent good-to-excellent. This remains above both the five-year average of 32 per cent and the 10-year averages of 46 per cent.

Regional sub-surface soil moisture good-to-excellent ratings (change from last week) are at 58 (-2) per cent in the South, 55 (zero) per cent in the Central, 71 (zero) per cent in the North East, 70 (-4) per cent in the North West and 96 (zero) per cent in the Peace.

Provincial pasture growth conditions are rated at 52 per cent good-to-excellent this week, above the five-year average rating of 26 per cent and 10-year average rating of 36 per cent.

Regional good-to-excellent pasture growth ratings (change from last week) are at 70 (+14) per cent in the South, 21 (-5) per cent in the Central, 55 (-1) per cent in the North East, 94 (+1) per cent in the North West and 46 (-5) per cent in the Peace, the report notes.

This week also provides an overview of the estimated yield and quality of provincial hay harvests.

Given the ample moisture available during the growing year, hay outperformed on yield compared to long-term averages, the AFSC reports. The first cut of dryland hay is estimated to have yielded 1.9 tons per acre, with 58 per cent of the crop in good-to-excellent quality. The second dryland hay cut yielded an estimated 1.5 tons per acre with 68 per cent of good-to-excellent quality. The 10-year average for dryland hay is a first cut of 1.4 tons per acre with 58 per cent good-to-excellent, and a second cut of 1.1 tons per acre and 65 per cent good-to-excellent rating.

It should be noted that while yields are higher in all regions than 10-year historical averages, challenges were noted in some areas with harvesting hay due to high precipitation.

Irrigated hay yields are reported only for the South Region. According to the report, first-cut irrigated hay is estimated at 2.7 tons per acre with 78 per cent of the crop in good-to-excellent condition, compared to the 10-year average of 2.4 tons per acre at 75 per cent good-to-excellent. Second-cut irrigated hay yielded 2.2 tons per acre at 90 per cent good-to-excellent, above the 10-year average of 1.9 tons per acre with 74 per cent good-to-excellent. Those taking a third cut expect to see yields of 1.7 tons per acre with 100 per cent rated good-to-excellent, compared to the 10-year average of 1.1 tons per acre at 92 per cent good-to-excellent.