Western Canada’s potentially devastating flood situation gained a measure of clarity this week and the picture that is emerging could be an ugly one, say farmers, municipal officials, provincial water authorities and hydrology experts. Across the Prairies, soil moisture reserves are at unusually high levels, meaning the potential for runoff is greater than normal. The […] Read more
Weather — page 102
Provinces assess flood threats, begin preparations
Wet soils may create good conditions in some areas
While there is much trepidation among farmers that a soggy spring will delay or prevent seeding in some areas, there is some optimism that moist soils will get the 2011 crop off to a fantastic start in other regions. “Spring flooding doesn’t always equate to poor growing season conditions,” said Doug Chorney, president of Manitoba’s […] Read more
U.S. winter wheat takes another drought hit
Hopes for the recovery of the struggling U.S. hard red winter wheat crop took a big blow with a new forecast calling for worsening drought conditions this spring. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a map on March 17 predicting persistent and expanding drought in the key winter wheat growing states of Kansas, Texas, […] Read more
Help needed for farmers’ flooded acres
Saskatchewan NDP leader Dwain Lingenfelter says the provincial government should roll back crop insurance premium increases for farmers who had flooded acres last year. However, agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud said he doesn’t think that is possible. Premiums and coverage levels are based on prices, and forecasts are strong right now, he said. As well, he […] Read more
Municipalities predict costly spring
Spring flooding was a recurring topic of conversation last week at a meeting of Saskatchewan’s rural municipalities. Soil is already saturated across most of the province, sloughs and potholes are filled to capacity and a heavier than normal snow cover lies across the entire grain belt this winter. As a result, municipal officials are bracing […] Read more
Forecasters predict above normal runoff across Saskatchewan
Above normal runoff continues to threaten Saskatchewan’s grain belt. The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority’s March forecast takes into account fall conditions as well as the snow pack and how much water it contains. It then compares the numbers to previous years. The unknown factor is how fast the spring melt will occur. There are concerns that […] Read more
Rubber tracks versus round, rubber tires
The website for Flaman’s Great Stuck In The Muck 2010 photo contest had 132 entries, of which 129 were machines mounted to tires. Only three were on tracks and those were construction-type tractors that ventured out to help in the rescues. What does that tell us about rubber tracks versus round, rubber tires in wet […] Read more
Hazelnuts roasting on an open prairie fire
With the help of prairie farmers, University of Saskatchewan researchers are hoping hazelnuts will soon be as popular in gardens as saskatoons and sour cherries. As part of a quest to find the perfect hazelnut tree, Saskatoon researchers are selling hazelnut seedlings to growers across the Prairies for $3. Research technician Rick Sawatzky, said that […] Read more
Alternatives found to traditional stick-built homes
Shelter is one of humanity’s most basic needs, along with food and clothing. Folks have always worked with what is at hand, be it snow to make igloos for the Arctic winter or branches to make overnight shelters in the bush. Stud construction, the norm in Canada and the United States, was developed because it […] Read more
Multiplanter performs miracles in mud
BILLINGS, Mont. – Last year’s wet weather wasn’t limited to the Canadian Prairies. It also affected producers in the northern United States, including Tim Nessan of southern Montana. His rotation requires 9,500 acres of winter wheat, and last year he was seeding into conditions so muddy that he finally had to park his 60 and […] Read more
