Soil moisture decline and slowing pasture growth are starting to raise concerns
According to the AFSC and Alberta Government Crop Reporting Survey, Alberta’s 2025 harvest is moving ahead of schedule as hot and dry conditions continue across the province. By September 2, major crop harvest was 22 percent complete, a 14 percent jump from last week. This pace is ahead of the five-year average of 21 percent and the 10-year average of 17 percent.
Regional harvest progress shows strong gains: the South reached 33 percent, Central 16 percent, North East 18 percent, North West 24 percent, and the Peace Region 20 percent. Dry peas led with 77 percent harvested, while barley was at 29 percent, spring wheat at 26 percent, oats at 17 percent, and canola, typically later, at 3 percent harvested but 28 percent swathed.
Despite supporting rapid harvest, hot and dry weather has lowered soil moisture. Surface soil moisture rated good to excellent stands at 45 percent, down 12 percent from last week. Sub-surface moisture dropped to 46 percent good to excellent, still near the 10-year average. Regional differences remain, with the South and Central above average due to July rains, while the North East, North West, and Peace are below average.
Pasture and tame hay growth are also being affected. Pasture in good to excellent condition is rated at 44 percent, higher than historical averages, though Central region ratings fell sharply. Tame hay growth is rated 38 percent good to excellent, slightly below long-term averages, though recent heat has aided second cut drying.