Two Sask. livestock auctions closed in August as facilities struggle to bring in cattle from a smaller herd
REGINA — Two Saskatchewan livestock auctions have closed this summer, and more could follow as a result of the declining cow herd. The Livestock Marketers Association of Canada (LMAC) said the major decrease in cow numbers, exacerbated by drought, has changed market conditions considerably. Fewer cattle to sell at live auction plus a lack of […] Read moreTag Archives Drought — page 4
Brazilian farmers face hotter, drier future
SASKATOON — Climate change could decimate crop production in one of the world’s agricultural powerhouses, according to a weather and climate expert. Kyle Tapley, meteorologist and senior sales manager with Maxar Intelligence, recently put together a case study for how climate change could affect production in Mato Grosso, the top soybean and corn producing state […] Read more
Crop disease tags along on soybean’s coattails
‘Honeymoon’ period for producers is ending as diseases such as phytophthora root rot make inroads following soybean expansion
Glacier FarmMedia – The worst phytophthora infection that Laura Schmidt of Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers has ever seen was just south of Souris. “Probably 25 per cent of the field was impacted,” the production specialist told field day attendees at the Westman Agricultural Diversification Organization near Melita. “One in four plants were dying off, […] Read more
Dry conditions hurt durum outlook
Southeast Saskatchewan is sole bright spot in durum growing areas SASKATOON — The latest U.S. durum production estimate could be a harbinger of what’s to come in Canada, says an analyst. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is now forecasting 2.09 million tonnes of U.S. production, down 14 percent from its July estimate. GrainFox chief analyst […] Read more
Farm vs. forest fight breaks out in the Amazon
Brazil’s ag sector defends expansion of farmland into the rainforest as concerns mount over the continuing loss of trees
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Thomson Reuters Foundation) — Brazilian farmers are feeling the effects of the climate emergency as drought and floods wreak havoc across the country, but despite poor harvests and rotting crops, they are fighting to protect their right to fell more trees and convert grasslands. The southern Rio Grande do Sul state […] Read more
Beef sector learned feed lessons during drought
Sask. livestock specialist says it’s critical for producers to know what they have when feed supplies and quality are lower
LANGHAM, Sask. — Prairie beef farmers were forced to find new feed sources, learn new processes and make difficult decisions in managing their feed inventories in the past few years. They struggled through three intensive years of drought — in many cases after experiencing several dry years. Rain arrived this year. “Early spring rains created […] Read more
Perennial, annual grazing mixes go head to head
A recent study at the U of S compares production, animal performance and sustainability metrics across grazing mixes
Producers looking to reseed drought-thrashed forage stands might want to check results from a recent University of Saskatchewan study that compared the performance of forage and annual blends under a planned grazing system. Study co-author Jourdyn Sammons presented results during an Ag in Motion rotational grazing lunch and learn July 17, hosted by the Canadian […] Read more
Dry weather, heat hit southwestern Sask. producers hard
Lots of rain has fallen across the Prairies this year, but not everyone has been fortunate enough to receive the moisture
REGINA — Some crops are running out of moisture despite decent spring rain through most of Saskatchewan. Last week’s high temperatures took their toll in parts of the southwest that hadn’t yet recovered from previous years’ drought. Both field crops and pastures were suffering. Tyler Wilson, who farms near Admiral, said some crops still looked […] Read more
Plan for drought while rainfall plentiful
The best way to weather a drought is to be ready when it comes. Preparation is needed before the rains stop, says Joe Harrington, irrigation specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. “Over the years, I’ve been through several of these dry cycles. We’ve had a funding program since the drought of 2001,” he said during […] Read more
Soil moisture deficit persists
Rainfall on the Prairies is much greater this year than last, though water expert Phillip Harder warns against setting high hopes for a continuing positive situation. “2023 winter, so Oct. 1 up until April 15, we had 140 millimetres of precipitation,” said Harder, research associate at the Global Institute for Water Security at the University […] Read more
