The Crop Planning Guide and Crop Planner Calculator provide information that can help estimate the income and cost of production for different crops in the various soil zones in the province.
The detailed calculations in this guide are based on the inputs and returns associated with attaining a target yield in the 80th percentile for each soil zone. Actual costs and yields on each farm will differ due to the condition and type of equipment, the selection of crop protection products and other inputs, agronomic practices, soil class and weather conditions. Producers are also expected to set their own target yields and costs.
Changes to the 2026 Guide
Based on the guide’s calculations (where the 80-percentile yield is achieved), 10 crops in the brown soil zone, all 15 crops in the dark brown soil zone and 14 crops in the black soil zone generate positive returns over variable expenses. Positive returns over total expenses occur for five crops in the black soil zone, two crops in dark brown and one crop in the brown soil zone.
Ministry regional specialists are also available to provide advice about appropriate agronomic practices and cost assumptions.
Download the 2026 Crop Planning Guide