The direct damage from drought is obvious, but the real hurt might lie deeper in the soil and affect next year’s crop
The crop-killing drought that’s hanging prairie crops out to dry will have an impact on residual nutrients this fall. What can producers expect to see in their soil tests? That’s the question probed by Karl Wyant, agronomy director at Nutrien. In a phone interview, Wyant said there are several effects that growers may notice on […] Read moreTag Archives Dry Times
Feed tests especially important during drought
Several areas in Western Canada are suffering from drought again this year. Drought creates many difficulties for ranchers, who must struggle with the immediate and long-term problems that can arise from not having enough forage for their cattle. I know some areas of the Prairies have received more adequate precipitation, but many ranchers are facing […] Read more
Risk management options are available for drought relief
At the end of June 2023, 83 percent of the prairie region was classified as abnormally dry or in moderate drought, including 90 percent of the region’s agricultural landscape. With no end in sight to higher-than-normal temperatures, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to look into risk management options. Livestock producers are concerned with water supplies […] Read more
Heat, humidity kill hundreds of US cattle
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Hundreds of cattle died in Iowa from extreme heat and humidity in late July, the state and livestock producers said, 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 […] Read more
Prairie crops in trouble
Crops are not faring well in Alberta and Saskatchewan. “Conditions are deteriorating in both provinces,” said MarketsFarm analyst Bruce Burnett. Crops in southern and central Alberta and western Saskatchewan are in particularly rough shape because of drought. Burnett is especially concerned about Canada’s durum and lentil crops, which are primarily grown in those areas. There […] Read more
Alberta starts AgriRecovery process
Extremely dry conditions in parts of Alberta that are causing deepening challenges for beef and crop producers have prompted the provincial government to take the first step toward potentially activating the AgriRecovery disaster relief framework. Alberta officials recently sent a letter to the federal government requesting an AgriRecovery assessment, said provincial agriculture and irrigation minister […] Read more
Livestock producers call for more drought help
Sask. crop insurance doubles low-yield thresholds to allow crops to be used for feed, but farm group says more is needed
The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association called for an immediate AgriRecovery assessment last week, even as governments moved to make it easier to turn low-yielding crops over for feed. President Garner Deobald said the steps taken so far, such as potential rent reductions on crown pasture, are helpful but don’t go far enough. Implementing AgriRecovery could […] Read more
Producers remain on the brink in Alberta
Conditions across southern Alberta continue to challenge producers. Intermittent rains have hit some areas in July after being non-existent in May and June, and it’s become a crapshoot what crops and pasture will be able to benefit from the additional moisture. “On our farm, there is a lot of uncertainty how we’re going to pull […] Read more
Weather problems start to trim global crop expectations
Record American soybean and corn crops are still in the official forecast but too much of the North American plains remains dry or in drought to allow crop markets to relax. A large part of the Canadian Prairies is in drought, threatening canola, durum, spring wheat and other crops. In the United States, July has […] Read more
Ag portfolio keeps rookie cabinet minister busy
Lack of rain in Alberta is top priority as the spectre of crop failures and feed shortages push producers to the edge
Alberta’s newest agriculture minister has a full plate as wildfires, drought, growing fears of a feed shortage and low river levels impacting irrigation districts are creating a not-too-tasty dish to swallow as he assumes his first cabinet position. RJ Sigurdson was re-elected in May for his second term in the riding of Highwood, which borders […] Read more
