Alberta crop harvest 97 per cent done as northern canola lags

Alberta's 2026 harvest is 97 per cent complete as of Oct. 27, with the South and Central regions finished and northern producers racing to get the last of their canola and oats into the bin before lasting snow, according to the final Alberta Crop Report of the season, released Thursday by Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation.

The South Region, which includes Medicine Hat and Foremost, completed harvest ahead of most of the province. Producers there are now finishing fall field work after weekend rain and snow improved surface soil moisture by four per cent and sub-surface moisture by 10 per cent.

Progress was made across all regions in the week ending Oct. 27. The North East advanced six per cent to reach 98 per cent complete, the North West gained seven per cent to also reach 98 per cent, and the Peace Region moved up eight per cent to 89 per cent complete.

Canola remains the most difficult crop to get off in the north. In the Peace Region, only 80 per cent of canola has been combined, with 15 per cent in the swath and four per cent still standing. Oats in the Peace are 91 per cent combined, while spring wheat and barley are both 96 per cent done. Provincially, canola sits at 94 per cent complete and dry peas are fully harvested in every region.

The report said cool weather, overnight frost and a mix of rain and snow over the past week created challenges for producers in the north. Some are combining above recommended moisture levels and relying on grain dryers to salvage the crop before winter sets in, raising concerns about tough grain and canola dockage from moisture, green material and weeds. The Peace Region also reported damage to standing crops from wildlife.

Fall-seeded crop conditions improved three per cent from the previous week and are now rated 72 per cent good-to-excellent provincially. The South Region led at 85 per cent good-to-excellent, followed by the North West at 83 per cent. The Central Region came in at 65 per cent, the Peace at 64 per cent and the North East at 47 per cent.

Surface soil moisture across Alberta is rated 66 per cent good-to-excellent and sub-surface at 65 per cent good-to-excellent. Spring wheat soil moisture reserves to a depth of 120 centimetres are near normal or above for most of the province, with many parts of the South rated moderately high to extremely high.

Pasture conditions edged down two per cent provincially to 46 per cent good-to-excellent. The South Region rated 67 per cent good-to-excellent and the North West 71 per cent, while the Central Region sat at 20 per cent. Some producers are already weaning calves and bringing cattle home, while others in the North West are holding cattle on pasture to stretch winter feed supplies.

Because harvest ran longer than usual this year, the report noted there are not enough comparable years to provide five-year and 10-year statistical comparisons for this week's period. The crop report is produced by Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation's Trade, Economics and Data Analytics Branch and has been running since 1940. Questions can be directed to the branch at TEDA-Branch@gov.ab.ca.

The final 2026 crop report is available on the Alberta Open Government portal.