Spotty rains keeping soil moisture high for Peace Region

Aug 10, 2026 | 1:13 PM

Surface and sub-surface soil moisture ratings are staying well above the 5- and 10-year averages in the Peace Region thanks to recent rains and cooler conditions.

In the latest Alberta Crop Report, major crop good-to-excellent ratings in the Peace only declined one point to 48 per cent when compared to the report prior. The Peace is performing above the 5-year benchmark by 12 per cent, but behind compared to the rest of Alberta.

A breakdown of each major crop’s good-to-excellent rating in our region is as follows:

Spring Wheat – 51.6 per cent
Barley – 50.8 per cent
Oats – 47.8 per cent
Canola – 45.4 per cent
Dry Peas – 46.2 per cent

The Peace is suffering a bit from excessive moisture, with sub-surface soil moisture’s good-to-excellent rating falling one point from the report prior to 89 per cent.

Surface soil moisture is sitting at 1.6 per cent poor, 19 per cent fair, 46.1 per cent good, 28.5 per cent excellent, and 4.8 per cent excessive in the Peace.

Pasture growth conditions were unchanged at 49 per cent good-to-excellent. Tame hay growth conditions are reported as 11 per cent poor, 35 per cent fair, 45 per cent good, and 10 per cent excellent.

by Erika Rolling