What You Need to Know from AAFC’s April Crop Outlook

It’s been a dry start to 2025 across much of Alberta, and the latest crop outlook from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada confirms what many farmers already feel: we’re heading into another uncertain year.

As of March 31, about 32% of Prairie farmland was classified as abnormally dry or in drought. That number keeps creeping up — it was 23% in February and 26% in January. For Alberta farmers, that’s a red flag going into seeding.

Despite the tough conditions, AAFC expects total seeded area in Canada to rise a bit this year. But production could dip slightly, depending on what kind of spring and summer we get. Prices for most crops are expected to decline, though there are a few bright spots.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening — and what Alberta growers should watch this season.