From Lethbridge, Alta., to London, Ont., and every field in between, Canada’s 2025 spring seeding season is off to a fast—and in many cases, uncharacteristically strategic—start. With seeding progress outpacing historical averages in the Prairie provinces and Ontario, one thing is clear: Canadian farmers aren’t just racing again the weather—they’re recalibrating what resilience looks like in a post-2024 agriculture economy. And the seed industry is right in the thick of it.
Alberta: Momentum in Motion
Farmers across Alberta are planting like it’s mid-May, with 23% of all crops already in the ground—nearly double the province’s five-year average. Southern Alberta is leading the charge with 50% completion, driven by smooth field conditions and adequate early-season moisture.
Fall-seeded crops are thriving, with 72% rated good to excellent. And with 76% of producers reporting adequate forage reserves and 85% stocked on feed grain, Alberta is entering the core of seeding season in better shape than it has in years.
Saskatchewan: Fast Progress, Pulse-Driven
Saskatchewan’s seeding progress sits at 18%—well ahead of the five- and ten-year averages. But the real story lies in what’s going into the ground first: pulses. Lentils (34%), peas (31%), and chickpeas (28%) are outpacing every other crop category.
Durum is also surging at 33% seeded, while oilseed seeding remains cautious—mustard leads at 21%, but canola is only at 10%. For seed companies, that’s meant a scramble to meet pulse seed demand early while keeping an eye on later canola pushes.
Soil moisture remains mostly adequate (78%), but short and very short ratings are creeping in, especially on pastures. Runoff is uneven—52% of southwest growers say dugouts may not fully recharge this spring.
Manitoba: Soybean Shift, Canola Caution
Seeding in Manitoba is 3% complete—above the five-year average, but still in early days. Behind that number, however, are major acreage shifts. Soybean planting is projected to rise to 1.63 million acres (up from 1.43M in 2024), while canola is expected to drop to 3.12 million acres (down from 3.34M).
Moisture remains a wild card. Some regions are saturated, while others are still playing catch-up after a dry winter. Fall cereals are in decent shape, and many growers are using the time to prep equipment and fine-tune seeding plans based on changing forecasts and soil conditions.
Ontario: Strategy Over Speed
Ontario’s growers aren’t planting fast—they’re planting smart. While some have seeded 50–70% of their corn, others are waiting patiently for soil conditions to align. Soybeans are estimated at 5–10% planted, with many farmers opting to prioritize beans over corn for the first time.
Winter wheat looks strong, with minimal winterkill and high interest in PGR and T1 fungicide applications. Sulphur deficiency is showing up in heavy clay fields, thanks to slow mineralization in dry conditions. But timely rain is helping.
Weed and disease pressure are beginning to build, especially in canola and cereals. White mould is a looming concern in flowering winter canola, and powdery mildew is making its mark in thick wheat stands. Retailers are urging growers to keep tank mixes clean and water volumes high.
A Nation in Motion
Across Canada, the 2025 seeding season is highlighting a broader trend: the rise of the strategic grower. From Alberta’s early surge to Ontario’s deliberate pace, producers are leaning hard into data, trait performance, and environmental conditions when making seed decisions.
For the seed industry, that means more than just filling orders. It’s about being a partner in decision-making—whether that means advising on hybrid switches in mid-May or helping fine-tune multi-product tank mixes.
