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Alfalfa field sunset in County of Grande Prairie on July 3, 2026. (Image Credit: Erika Rolling)
By Erika Rolling
Crop Report

Frequent precipitation helps soil moisture reserves and crop development

Jul 6, 2026 | 4:13 PM

The latest Alberta Crop Report dated June 30, says fields are flourishing in the Peace Region thanks to recent rainfall amounts, but it is a different story in other parts of the province.

AFSC notes crop development is behind due to late seeding in the northern regions, but rapid advancement is happening in areas with warmer temperatures.

Provincial ratings for the conditions of all crops remain within averages, as 68 per cent of all crops are rated good-to-excellent.

Good-to-excellent conditions for major crops are regionally variable: with the Central Region leading at 83 per cent, followed by the South at 82 per cent, the Peace at 57 per cent, and the North East at 55 per cent. Major crop conditions in the North West are notably lower at 38 per cent.

In the Peace, the breakdown of good-to-excellent ratings per crop are:

  • Spring Wheat – 61.7 per cent
  • Barley – 64.1 per cent
  • Oats – 62.7 per cent
  • Canola – 52.2 per cent
  • Dry Peas – 57 per cent

As rain fell over the majority of the province; some being torrential downpours, the Peace nears the top of the list for surface and sub-surface soil moisture ratings rated good-to-excellent.

Surface soil moisture is rated 86 per cent good-to-excellent and sub-surface moisture at 97 per cent good-to-excellent in the Peace. These numbers were unchanged compared to the week before.

Pasture conditions are variable across Alberta, with the Peace is struggling the most at 47 per cent good-to-excellent. This is slightly below the 5-year average of 49 per cent. Provincially, pasture conditions are rated 79 per cent good-to-excellent.

Tame hay conditions have been reported as 10 per cent poor, 37 per cent fair, 44 per cent good, and 9 per cent excellent in the Peace.

The next Alberta Crop Report is to be released on Friday, July 10.

by Erika Rolling