Agricultural Lands

Today, as in the past, agricultural activity remains one of the most dominant land uses in Alberta. Most of Alberta's crop and livestock production takes place in the prairies, which is mostly semi-arid grasslands and sub-humid aspen parkland. The brown, dark brown and black soils have the highest organic content and most favourable moisture conditions for growing crops. Large farming areas also occur in the southern part of the boreal forest, and in the Peace River region of northern Alberta. The dark gray soils here are less productive. The cooler climate in this region results in a limited growing season for many annual crops, but the long summer daylight hours allow certain crops to reach maturity.