The pastures of southern Alberta are so dry, that the grasses crackle as the gophers scamper from one hole to the next.
But if no rain comes soon, the situation next year could be worse.
“It’s not going to be a major wreck this year, but next year will be tough,” said Firmin Declercq of Lomond, Alta. Farming 22,000 acres, his business, Belgium Farms, is Canada’s largest hay producer.
Calls are flowing in from people looking for hay in mid summer, he said. Declercq has ample supply because of good carryover from last year when growing conditions were better. He charges $100 a tonne f.o.b. delivered to the farm.
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A large part of his hay producing land is irrigated but in a hot, dry year like this, the crop still suffers.
“The irrigation has never stopped and stuff is still burning up behind it.”
His crews have been able to cut hay round the clock because there hasn’t been even a drop of dew to toughen up the alfalfa or grasses.
Part of his land is not irrigated and hay tonnage there is down by about a third. He feels for those without irrigation.
“On dryland you ain’t got nothing.”
The drought area stretches from west to east in the southern part of the province. North of Calgary, conditions are much better, but some are having trouble getting hay baled because of too much rain.
For southern ranchers using crown grazing land, the situation is tenuous, said range manager Barry Adams of Alberta Agriculture.
People have voluntarily pulled cattle off because there is no grass or water left in some spots.
There has been no snow cover or spring runoff so water supplies are low and grass growth in many areas is negligible. Bare patches of ground are obvious in pastures and hayfields.
Ranchers understand that future productivity depends on a good variety of plant species as well as how much residue remains from year to year.
“When you graze to the point where there is no residue, you’re having the same effect that a fire would have,” Adams said.
“It takes quite a few years to regain vigor.”
Fire damage
A fire about two weeks ago burned 23,000 acres of crown land from Milk River to Del Bonita.
It was started by a lightning strike. No buildings or livestock were lost but some fences and water supplies are gone.
The fire destroyed open pasture that was already stressed by severe drought, said Lloyd Andruchow of Alberta Agriculture.
“A lot of the grass was stuff that wasn’t grazed yet. Ranchers were saving it for later grazing. It really hurts,” he said.
The disaster services recovery committee is assessing losses and what possible assistance may be available for local municipalities and producers.
In these dryland areas, prairie fire can burn into the topsoil and destroy the organic layer. Range managers don’t anticipate erosion problems but regrowth could be slow without rain to replenish the area. At least one year of rest might be required before livestock can be turned out on this fragile area.
“It’s very hard to predict when this range can be grazed again,” he said.
Ranchers have been forced to find alternative grazing or sell some cattle.
On Aug. 2, 700 yearlings from this area went through Balog’s Auction Mart at Lethbridge.
The silver lining of this fire was red hot prices, said a market spokesperson.
Feedlots snapped up 800-pound yearlings for $1.34 a pound and 750 pounders were bid at $1.41.
“Yearlings were getting sold so people can hold onto their cow-calf pairs,” said Doug Mackintosh.
Others facing hay shortages and a lack of water are selling 450 lb. calves that would normally not come to town until October. Buyers bid them up to $1.89.
“If we have a very dry fall and winter, it will be even tougher next year,” Mackintosh said.
