Alberta Crop Report - May 27, 2025

Provincial seeding for major crops has progressed to 90 per cent complete, up from 72 per cent last week and ahead of the 5-year average of 81 per cent (Table 1). Seeding progress for major crops remains ahead of both 5- and 10-year averages for the province and across regions. Regionally, the South is furthest ahead at 97 per cent complete, followed by the North West (93 per cent), Central (89 per cent), North East (86 per cent), and Peace (84 per cent) regions. Crop emergence has also improved significantly, reaching 57 per cent provincially, up from 31 per cent last week and well above the 5-year average of 37 per cent. All regions are ahead of their historical averages (5- and 10-year averages), with major crop emergence reported in the Central at 65 per cent, Peace (64 per cent), South (62 per cent), North East (46 per cent), and North West (42 per cent) regions. Among major crops, dry peas are virtually complete at 99 per cent, with oats being the lowest at 74 per cent. Despite this progress, moisture levels have declined, largely due to dry winds. Without adequate moisture this could become a concern for sustained crop and pasture development.

Provincial surface and sub-surface soil moisture conditions rated as good to excellent, are below both the 5- and 10-year averages, except for in the Central Region. Some areas have reported fair to poor moisture levels, with no regions reporting excessive moisture levels. Although recent rainfall provided some short-term relief, warm and dry winds have led to reduced soil moisture levels. Provincial surface (sub-surface) soil moisture ratings stand at 7 (7) per cent poor, 37 (39) per cent fair, 48 (49) per cent good, 8 (4) per cent excellent, and 0 (0) per cent excessive.

Regionally, surface soil moisture rated good to excellent has declined compared to a week previous, for most areas, with ratings at 47 per cent in the South (down 7 per cent), 79 per cent in Central (down 10 per cent), 50 per cent in the North East (down 4 per cent), 47 per cent in the North West (down 2 per cent), and 40 per cent in the Peace (down 20 per cent) regions. Sub-surface moisture rated good to excellent is at 39 per cent in the South (down 9 per cent), 80 per cent in Central (up 3 per cent), 41 per cent in the North East (down 3 per cent), 50 per cent in the North West (down 7 per cent), and 52 per cent in the Peace (down 17 per cent) regions.

Provincial pasture conditions rated good to excellent is stable at 64 per cent, and are above the 5-year average of 57 per cent. Tame hay growth showed a slight improvement, with rating of good to excellent at 66 per cent, above the 5-year average of 58 per cent. The Central and North West regions recorded an increase in good to excellent pasture conditions, while the North East is stable at 52 per cent. However, the South and Peace regions reported declines from last week, with ratings falling by 6 and 2 per cent respectively. The Central Region leads with 87 per cent of pasture growth rated good to excellent, followed by the North West at 73 per cent, North East at 52 per cent, South at 49 per cent, and Peace at 41 per cent. Tame hay conditions for the Central and North West also improved, although the South and Peace Regions saw declines, and the North East remained stable. Current good to excellent ratings for tame hay are 89 per cent in the Central region, 85 per cent in the North West, 54 per cent in the North East, 48 per cent in the South, and 40 per cent in the Peace region. While conditions in the Central and North West regions are above their 5-year averages, the South and Peace regions are below average.