Twenty-two per cent of canola swathed in Peace Region, as per latest Provincial Crop Report

Sep 14, 2026 | 12:14 PM

The province says harvest is off to a slow start in 2026 across Alberta, with the most recent Alberta Crop Report by AFSC saying provincial progress is behind the five-and 10-year averages of 40 and 30 per cent, respectively.

Rain has caused significant delays for farmers to get in the field as well as for crops maturing.

In the report dated September 8, the Peace had 22 per cent of canola swathed, and it may be ready for combining in the very near future. Our area was only 8 per cent complete harvest when the report was compiled.

Percentages of major crops combined in the Peace are:

Spring Wheat – 13.3 per cent
Barley – 10.3 per cent
Oats – 5.1 per cent
Winter Wheat – 61.8 per cent
Fall Rye – 58.1 per cent
Canola – 0 per cent
Dry Peas – 29.9 per cent

The report says the Peace can expect yields around 10 per cent above five-year averages for major crops. Quality ratings for crops already in the bin are showing provincially that durum, barley, canola, and dry peas are projected to have higher quality ratings than their five-year averages.

Surface soil moisture ratings also improved after the rain before the Labour Day long weekend, with the Peace now sitting at an 88 per cent good-to-excellent rating. Sub-surface soil moisture in the Peace is at 92 per cent good-to-excellent, the best rating in Alberta.

The rain also helped pasture growth. Good-to-excellent conditions increased by nine per cent. Tame hay is doing well in the Peace, rated at 56 per cent good-to-excellent when compared to the 5-year average of 34 percent.

by Erika Rolling