Alberta Farming: 2025 Ag Report in Review

2025 Ag Report at a Glance 

• Spring wheat yield: 3.83 t/ha (57 bu/ac, +18.8%) for 12.3 Mt total 

• Canola yield: 2.84 t/ha (45 bu/ac, +16.1%) for 6.3 Mt total 

• Canola value: ~$677/t (↓ from $715/t previous year) 

• Spring wheat value: ~$282/t (↓ from $350/t) 

• Feed barley value: ~$296/t 

• Yellow peas value: ~40–50% price drop YOY 

Alberta farmers closed 2025 with surprisingly strong yields and production. Despite an early-season drought, late-summer rains helped crops recover. For example, spring wheat averaged about 3.83 t/ha (57 bu/ac, +18.8% YOY according to StatsCan) for 12.3 Mt, and canola averaged ~2.84 t/ha (45 bu, +16.1%) for 6.3 Mt. Barley output rose ~19%.  

By March 2025, only 32% of the Prairies were abnormally dry (down from 95% in 2024), enabling this strong rebound. At harvest, about 78% of Alberta’s spring wheat and 93% of its canola were graded #1 (top) quality, despite only ~25% of topsoil moisture rated good to excellent. 

Prices & Market Trends 

The big 2025 harvest put downward pressure on crop prices. Statistics Canada reports the 2024–25 Alberta canola price averaged ~$677/t (down from $715/t in 2023–24). By late 2025, cash canola bids in Alberta were ~$630–$640/t (~C$12.80–12.85/bu). CWRS spring wheat softened from roughly C$350/t in 2024 to ~$282/t by mid-2025. Lethbridge feed barley averaged ~$296/t in 2024–25 (AAFC forecasts ~$285/t in 2025–26). North American yellow pea prices plunged – down ~40–50% YOY – as Chinese buyers stayed away, cutting global demand. 

Trade and Demand 

Weaker world prices made domestic demand key. Canada’s canola crush capacity surged: AAFC expects a record ~12 Mt of canola will be processed in 2025–26 (mostly for feed and biofuel), allowing about 8 Mt to be exported even with tariffs in place. In contrast, pulses struggled – StatsCan reports Alberta dry pea cash receipts ~25% lower in Jan–Sep 2025. Barley exports remain largely aimed at Asia, but ample global feed supplies are keeping prices subdued. 

Technology and Resilience 

Producers leaned on precision tools and conservation to protect yields. Many Alberta operations expanded GPS guidance, drone scouting and variable-rate seeding. Precision farming has been a priceless tool amid unpredictable weather. Equipment sales stayed strong – dealers report heavy demand for tractors and planters. (Future Ag carries new models from Case IH, Kubota, Kioti and others.) Water and soil conservation were also priorities; many farmers expanded irrigation and no-till rotations to stretch limited moisture. 

Farm Market Outlook for 2026 

With large carry-over stocks, Alberta farmers will watch prices and weather closely. Surveys indicate they plan slightly larger plantings: spring wheat area in AB is up ~6.6% (to about 8.4 M acres), and lentil area is up ~4.1% (to ~583,000 ac). Pea acreage is rising nationwide, too. These shifts reflect optimism that better moisture and steady demand will continue. Still, higher input costs (fertilizer and fuel) and climate risks persist. Producers also continue investing in data and insurance – expanded crop insurance and precision planning may help manage risks in 2026.