Unless significant precipitation reaches the West in coming weeks, the impacts could stretch beyond agriculture
MEDICINE HAT — Dry conditions stretch across the Prairies and beyond, with nearly half the country experiencing moderate to exceptional drought. It’s the culmination of several dry years across the Prairies. Pockets along the Alberta-Saskatchewan border face exceptional drought conditions as the growing season approaches. Trevor Hadwen, agroclimate specialist with Agriculture Canada, said the impact […] Read moreTag Archives Dry Times
Most Alberta river flows within normal range
MEDICINE HAT — Water levels on the Bow River from Calgary to the mouth of the South Saskatchewan River are running within normal seasonal ranges as of mid-February and the Red Deer River is also flowing at average levels. Flow in the Oldman River continues to be below average. In a Feb. 12 update to […] Read more
Water expert warns of changes in runoff, demand
Canada Research Chair in Water Resources says mountain runoff in the future may come too soon for adequate capture
MEDICINE HAT — It will be increasingly difficult to predict conditions on southern Alberta rivers, according to John Pomeroy, and the University of Saskatchewan professor is confident that there will be changes to mountain runoff in coming years. Pomeroy, who also holds the title of Canada Research Chair in Water Resources and Climate Change, said […] Read more
Sask. offers help to water-short town
MEDICINE HAT — The MLA for a community that declared a state of local emergency due to low water levels in December says the province will help it find solutions. Doug Steele, Saskatchewan Party MLA for the Cypress Hills riding, said he is in regular contact with officials in Leader, Sask., and although there isn’t […] Read more
Water woes weigh on ranchers
MEDICINE HAT — Cattle producers face headwinds in 2024 ranging from higher rates of open cattle to depleted pastures and worries about water shortages and fires. The situation weighs heavily on Kim Wachtler, who ranches along Alberta’s Cowboy Trail near Claresholm, Alta. Related stories in this issue: Communities feel pinch as river levels plummet Sask. […] Read more
Beavers can mitigate drought threat: analyst
The dams that these animals build help create and maintain water sources for livestock and preserve wetlands
MEDICINE HAT — An Alberta conservation group is promoting beaver habitat as a way to keep water on the land amid rising drought concerns in the province. “Beavers can provide benefits and always have provided benefits from an environmental perspective but also from an ecosystem goods and services perspective with drought and flood mitigation,” said […] Read more
Signs point to better weather
CALGARY — The weather cycle that brought drought to the Prairies during the past few years will slowly change for the better, a meteorologist predicts. However, Drew Lerner, president and senior agricultural meteorologist at World Weather, Inc., says there could be challenges ahead for producers. This year could be better for some farmers and ranchers […] Read more
Alta. could declare water emergency: minister
Provincial government begins negotiations on water sharing agreements as it prepares for worst-case scenarios this year
MEDICINE HAT — An early February snowfall in Alberta from Red Deer south provided a reprieve to the province as it faces one of its worst droughts in decades. But conditions are challenging and the province is gearing up to face them. The government hosted a town hall meeting to inform stakeholders before launching its […] Read more
Producers urged to expand herds as U.S. demand grows
New U.S. slaughter capacity may create opportunities for Canadian producers if they hang onto their cows and heifers
REGINA — Western Canadian cattle producers able to retain cows and heifers through the drought have an opportunity south of the border. Travis Hickey, founder of Cattlenomics in Colorado, told the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference that there aren’t enough cows to support the feeding and packing capacity in the United States. Peak daily slaughter capacity […] Read more
FCC expects profitability to decline this year
A prominent Canadian agricultural lender is projecting a 4.8 percent decline in farm cash receipts in 2024, thanks in part to a softening market. Consequently, its leading economist is urging producers to find any way they can to save money. “In this environment, I do think that management skills are absolutely critical,” J.P. Gervais, vice-president […] Read more
