Latest provincial crop report shows this year’s rains have pushed back development somewhat

Jul 5, 2026 | 6:00 AM

While rain is a much-needed commodity to grow crops, producers this year, particularly in the south, are witnessing that too much moisture can also have the opposite effect.

In the latest Crop Report survey from the Province, taken on June 30, it says development has slowed thanks to at least two extended bouts of heavy rain since mid-May.

“Frequent rainfall, varying temperatures, and short windows for field operations continued across Alberta through the end of June,” said the report.

“While crop development is supported by moisture reserves that are well above average for this time of year, there are some concerns around the pace of crop development. Despite these challenges, crops are responding quickly to the improved growing conditions with rapid crop advancement in areas with warmer temperatures.”

It added that, overall, crop development continues to move forward, although maturity remains variable across the province depending on local conditions.

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Provincially, conditions of all crops remain within averages, with 68 per cent rated as good-to-excellent, however, regionally, the average figure was considerably more at 82 per cent.

In Region One: South, which covers Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Foremost, and Strathmore, cool and wet weather continues to play a role.

“Spring cereal development is in early-to-mid booting, fall cereal development is at late flowering to early milk development, most canola and mustard development is at the rosette stage with limited flowering beginning, and pulse crops are mainly within the 7-12 node stage with flowering noted in some areas.”

Region-wide, tame hay had a 72 per cent rating of Good and four per cent, Excellent.

Meantime, 51 per cent of sub-surface moisture was classified as Good with 23 per cent rated at Excellent.

The next full report is due out July 17.

by Dave Lueneberg

Latest provincial crop report shows this year’s rains have pushed back development somewhat

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