Alberta Crop Report - May 21, 2025

Recent rainfall and cooler temperatures has brought much needed moisture, benefiting early crop growth. However, some farmers have reported seeding delays due these conditions. Provincial seeding for all crops stands at 73 per cent complete, ahead of the 5-year average of 59 per cent (Table 1). Regionally, the South is furthest ahead at 87 per cent seeded, followed by the Central, North West, and North East Regions. The Peace Region, with scattered rain, saw rapid progress, rising to 61 per cent seeded, from 27 per cent last week. Among major crops provincially, dry peas and spring wheat lead at 90 and 87 per cent respectively, while oat is at 47 per cent. Crop emergence is progressing well, with 32 per cent of all crops emerged, well above the 5-year average of 16 per cent. Emergence is furthest ahead in the South and Central regions among major crops, with over 45 per cent of spring wheat and peas having emerged. Barley is at 47 per cent in the South, while other regions, including the North East, North West and Peace, are below 20 per cent. Canola and oats remain under 30 per cent in all regions. Cooler conditions and frost in the North East and North West has delayed emergence, with many fields under 25 per cent. Fall-seeded crops are in good condition, with 70 per cent rated good to excellent provincially. As temperatures rise, farmers expect to make good progress and wrap up seeding by the end of May, if weather conditions permit.

Scattered precipitation across the province has improved soil moisture in many areas. Some parts of the Central Region reported up to 3 inches of rain this week, which has enhanced surface soil moisture. While surface moisture conditions have improved across all regions, sub-surface soil moisture has also shown increases in most areas, suggesting that recent rainfall is starting to penetrate deeper into the soil. All regions have reported improved sub-surface moisture levels, except the Peace Region, where conditions have remained stable (Figure 1). Provincially, surface (sub-surface) moisture conditions are rated 5 (6) per cent poor, 31 (35) per cent fair, 54 (53) per cent good, 10 (6) per cent excellent, and 0 (0) per cent excessive (Table 2). Overall, soil moisture conditions are generally favorable for crop emergence and early growth across most areas.

Following a slow start to the growing season, due to dry conditions, recent precipitation has improved pastures and tame hay growth conditions across much of the province. Compared to early May, when many fields were off to a slow start, conditions have steadily improved. Reports show that pasture (tame hay) growth conditions are rated provincially as 7 (7) per cent poor, 28 (28) per cent fair, 59 (56) per cent good, and 5 (8) per cent excellent. Regionally, the Central Region is seeing the best good to excellent pasture growth rate (84 per cent), followed by the North West (67 per cent), the South (54 per cent), the North East (51 per cent), and Peace Regions (43 per cent). Good to excellent condition ratings for pasture (tame hay) growth are 55 (55) per cent in the South, 84 (84) per cent in the Central, 51 (54) per cent in the North East, 67 (78) per cent in the North West, and 43 (41) per cent in the Peace Regions. With continued good conditions, pastures and tame hay fields are likely to improve in the coming weeks.