Alberta crops set to yield 20% above average, Peace region up 9%
Persistent rain has slowed crop staging in parts of Alberta while easing heat stress in the south, according to the latest AFSC crop report.
The latest Alberta Crop Report from the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation forecasts that major crops across the province, including canola and peas, will yield about 20 per cent above their five-year averages in 2026. In the Peace region, dryland yields are expected to come in 9 per cent above the five-year average.
Provincially, 12 per cent of major crops are flowering and 88 per cent are podding, with some harvesting already underway in southern Alberta. Persistent rain has slowed crop development in many areas but has relieved heat stress in southern fields.
In the Peace, good-to-excellent ratings rose slightly and include spring wheat at 51.7 per cent, barley at 51.6 per cent, oats at 48.9 per cent, winter wheat at 51 per cent, fall rye at 42.4 per cent, canola at 46 per cent and dry peas at 47.1 per cent. AFSC noted that spotty showers, thunderstorms and cooler temperatures slowed crop staging but have not hurt soil moisture, which is rated mostly good to excellent across the region.
The first cut of dryland hay is nearly complete in the Peace, South and Central regions. Pasture and tame hay growth conditions in the Peace are mixed, with roughly a third rated good and smaller shares rated fair, poor or excellent.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.