Alberta farmers are facing the worst moisture conditions in at least 50 years, according to the provincial government’s latest moisture situation update.

Grasshoppers, cutworms and flea beetles are also adding to the early season woes, according to the latest crop report released on June 9.

Soil moisture reserves across a wide swath of the province, extending from Peace River and Cold Lake in the north down to Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, have been nearly depleted following a dry fall and spring that have in turn led to the worst wildfire season in Alberta’s history.