Scattered rainfall has helped some producers in the province’s Peace Country but have made yield projections difficult
Crops in British Columbia have gone from bad to worse as a grave wildfire situation compounds drought problems. B.C. Premier David Eby called a state of emergency for the entire province last week. B.C.’s Peace Country near the Alberta border, has dealt with fire and drought this year, but cereal, pulse and oilseed crops are […] Read moreTag Archives Dry Times
Alta. irrigators cautioned as water levels worsen
Cooler temperatures and precipitation may offer relief, but river levels have been running below historical lows this year
The irrigation season in Alberta is ending, just as Calgary issues mandatory water restrictions and the province elevates its water shortage rating. “This is a dry year and demands on water are more evident,” said Ryan Davison, chair of the South East Alberta Watershed Alliance (SEAWA). “It may be time to re-think future development such […] Read more
Struggling ranchers call for fix to disaster relief
Alberta Beef Producers chair wants AgriStability improved for cow-calf producers, who typically don’t have high cash flows
Changes need to be made to agricultural disaster relief and business risk management programs to better help beef producers in an era of increasing weather extremes due to climate change, says an industry leader. Producers can’t continue to keep looking for payouts from the federal and provincial governments every year to bail them out, “so […] Read more
Prairie feedlots increase use of corn
Dry conditions squeeze grain availability, but experience from 2021’s drought has made moving corn into Alberta easy
Alberta feedlots are increasing imports of American corn to make up for the lack of local feed caused by the drought. “There’s going to be a lack of barley and wheat for the feedlot,” says Jacob Bueckert, chair of the board of the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association. “Most of the feedlots are already purchasing corn […] Read more
Bone dry on the range: U.S. ranchers in trouble
Cattle producers in Texas struggle to keep their animals fed and watered as they battle drought and extreme heat this year
TENNESSEE COLONY, Texas, (Reuters) — The brown and black cattle of Texas, beloved symbols of the Lone Star state, walk through desiccated grass and stand in shrunken watering holes while their ranchers struggle to get them enough food. For the second summer in a row, drought and extreme heat are stressing the health of cattle […] Read more
Heat, humidity kill hundreds of cattle in U.S. Midwest
CHICAGO (Reuters) — Hundreds of cattle died in Iowa from extreme heat and humidity in late July as the world recorded its hottest month ever. The deaths show the toll of severe weather on farm animals and food production. The losses further trim the U.S. cattle herd, which is already the smallest in decades after […] Read more
Sask. livestock producers to receive drought assistance
UPDATED – August 21, 2023 – 1600 CST – Drought support is on the way for Saskatchewan livestock producers. The province is making up to $70 million available to help offset the “extraordinary costs” of feeding animals and maintaining breeding herds in Saskatchewan. “Immediate measures are needed as farmers and ranchers deal with significant challenges […] Read more
Variable honey year likely close to average
Total honey production across the Prairies is expected to be close to average this year due to widely variable precipitation and drought that have affected crops in much of the region, said an industry leader. “I think honey production has been all over the map depending on where you’re at and how much rain the […] Read more
Lack of rain to pummel durum yields
Provincial wheat commission vice-chair expects yields on his southeastern Sask. farm to be 20 bu. per acre below normal
Jake Leguee’s durum crop started out promising with plenty of moisture. “Down in our area it was a struggle getting the crop in,” said Leguee, who farms between Weyburn and Fillmore in southeastern Saskatchewan. “We had a tremendous amount of water lying around after that April snowstorm.” But the weather turned hot and dry starting […] Read more
Grain contract issue far from ‘settled’
Grain contracts are in the media again, and with many areas in Saskatchewan experiencing drought conditions, there is concern that many farmers will suffer a repeat of 2021, highlighting a longstanding problem with contracts. For many Saskatchewan grain farmers, this isn’t news. Over the past few years, farmers have been raising concerns around the lack […] Read more
