CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — A key stretch of the lower Mississippi River dropped to within inches of its lowest-ever level near the end of September and is expected to remain near historic lows just as the busiest U.S. grain export season gets underway, according to the U.S. National Weather Service. Low water has slowed hauling […] Read more
Tag Archives Dry Times
Irrigators warned to plan for shortages
The situation along rivers and in reservoirs across southern Alberta received a reprieve from deteriorating conditions on the last day of September, but challenges remain as the last few irrigation districts shut off their taps for the season. Rainfall in late September was among the largest seen in weeks and was also widespread and felt […] Read more
Corn acres up, yields likely down in Manitoba
A dry spring hindered crop establishment, but producers say early returns are looking better than they first expected
Warren McCutcheon, who farms near Carman, Man., normally harvests his corn crop in October. This fall, by Sept. 29, he already had 300 acres in the bin. The corn was ready to harvest because of dry conditions during much of the growing season, which persisted into September. McCutcheon still has a section of corn to […] Read more
Let us always know water’s worth
In August 2022, a friend offered a boat ride on the Oldman Dam reservoir. It was a hot, sunny day with minimal wind — uncharacteristic at the aptly named Windy Point on the reservoir’s eastern edge. It was an ideal day for such an excursion. We enjoyed the breeze created from the motorboat’s speed and […] Read more
Alta. producers feel pinch as reservoirs shrink
A booster shot of rain falling across southern Alberta and the last major irrigation district closing its canal will buoy dwindling reservoir and river levels as the first week of October ends. But the short-term forecast will see a return of warm, dry conditions and the seasonal forecast is unclear, though El Nino is expected […] Read more
‘Situation is not ideal’
A generational hydrological drought is occurring in rivers in southern Alberta, resulting in water levels rivaling the lowest seen in 50 years, the activation of a county’s emergency operations and a warning from the province. “While it appears we will be able to complete the 2023 irrigation season without significant detriment, the situation could become […] Read more
Cheap Russian wheat pressures prices
The country’s cheap wheat policy has discouraged production in other parts of the world, which could create a rally
A major U.S. farm lender believes a wheat price spike is on the horizon. CoBank is alerting U.S. grain elevators storing large volumes of wheat that there is potential for a “sharp rally in wheat prices” in the year ahead. “The flood of cheap Russian wheat into the global market may have created a false […] Read more
Alta. issues water shortage advisories as situation worsens
The irrigation season is over but challenges on southern Alberta’s rivers and reservoirs remain as levels at the Oldman Dam reservoir continue to drop, St. Mary reservoir is empty and water shortage advisories spread. Seven water shortage advisories were issued yesterday afternoon around Medicine Hat following a month of deteriorating conditions along the South Saskatchewan […] Read more
Cattle producers count losses
Approximately 5.6 million acres have burned in B.C. so far this year, up from 3.3 million acres in 2018
Beef producers dealing with the most destructive wildfire season in British Columbia’s history are tallying their losses in terms of cattle and infrastructure such as fences, said an industry leader. “It’s been one of those summers,” said Kevin Boon, general manager of the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association. “Between fire and drought and water shortages, it’s been […] Read more
Forage rainfall insurance pays out
Record payments were made to producers who participated in the Saskatchewan forage rainfall insurance program this year. The governments of Saskatchewan and Canada announced Sept. 5 that $60.4 million was paid in 17 forage risk zones. Most payments were made in the southwest and west-central parts of the province after drier than normal conditions. This […] Read more
