Crop Conditions Looking Up in Most Regions — But the Peace Remains Under Pressure

Jul 03, 2025

Good news for many Alberta farmers: crop and soil moisture conditions have taken a turn for the better across most of the province, thanks to much-needed rain in recent weeks. The latest provincial report shows a 10-point bump in major crop ratings, with 59% now falling into the “good to excellent” category.

That’s a welcome improvement — but still well short of the five- and ten-year benchmarks (73% and 71%, respectively). And in the Peace Region, the story is more grim: crop ratings there dropped another 2% this week, sitting at just 25% good to excellent.

Region by Region: Where the Crops Stand

South: Crop conditions improved to 55% good to excellent, up 7% from last week. Spring wheat and barley are already in the booting stage. Rain has helped pastures green up, but overall growth is slow, and pasture ratings remain low at 33%.
Central: This region saw the biggest jump — crop conditions rose by 20% to 72%, buoyed by rainfall of up to three inches. Pastures improved to 53% good to excellent. Haying is underway in some areas, though cool, wet weather has slowed progress.
North East: Crop ratings climbed to 65%, but pasture (33%) and tame hay (28%) are still well below normal. Despite better surface moisture, sub-surface moisture remains limited, restricting regrowth.

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.