If you farm across the southern prairies, you are unfortunately no stranger to the lack of moisture in 2021. High market prices at the start of the year caused many to eliminate some risk on their farm by locking in some grain for the end of the season. However, Mother Nature has taken her toll,… Read More
Category: Drought
The Government of Saskatchewan has responded to the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association’s request for drought assistance. Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit announced July 14 that Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) will implement measures to address dry conditions impacting producers. Effective immediately, changes will be made to allow low yielding crops to be put to alternate… Read More
Editor’s note: The Government of Saskatchewan announced changes to crop insurance and some program changes after this story was published. See those changes here. The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) and other producer groups are calling on provincial and federal governments to take immediate action and support Prairie livestock producers who are facing drought conditions…. Read More
Unbelievably hot temperatures recently hit parts of B.C., the Pacific Northwest, and into California, injuring fruit and trees alike. Glen Lucas, general manager for the B.C. Fruit Growers Association based at Kelowna, B.C., recently joined Shaun Haney to talk about how orchards are affected by the recent heatwave. “The first thing that was of note… Read More
By John McGregor With calls for a searing, west-approaching heat wave bearing down on us this week and next, the moisture situation across the province remains pointed at a significant moisture deficient with our hay and pasture fields. A very well-timed rain in late June brought a bit of relief at the time, however, it… Read More
There’s no doubt that the heat forecasted for this week will have adverse effects on crops throughout the Prairies, but the full extent of how badly crops are injured will depend largely on soil moisture reserves. “Things are not looking too good heading into this week,” said Jeremy Boychyn, agronomy extension specialist with Alberta Wheat… Read More
Water, and access to clean water, is likely to define the next generation of agricultural inputs. Even if the Prairies return to a more average rainfall pattern in the short term, water scarcity is becoming more of an issue in several geographies and jurisdictions. Water isn’t just required for plant growth, of course; it’s required… Read More
Drought is hitting areas on the eastern side of the prairies hard, and unless weather patterns change, ranchers in many cases will be hitting a wall as feed supplies dry up as early as July. Tyler Fulton, rancher, president of Manitoba Beef Producers, and director with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, joined RealAg Radio guest host… Read More
When everything is dry around you, there has to be something to look forward to. Rain can really change people’s frames of mind when the Prairies are in the condition they’ve been in these past months. Rob Stone, a farmer from Davidson, Sask., wanted to tilt the scales for himself and the farming community by… Read More
One of the reasons weed species can be so difficult to get ahead of is because of their ability to adapt to conditions. Herbicide labels often refer to weed size when targeting the ideal control window, but in dry conditions weeds can stay small while rapidly move towards maturity. Mike Cowbrough, weed specialist for the… Read More
This week’s Farmer Rapid Fire on RealAg Radio has confirmed one thing: there is some serious drought out there — especially across the southern parts of Western Canada. The severity changes pending what pocket you belong to, but even areas such as the Palliser Triangle, which is known for its dry climate, is facing extreme… Read More
Start clean, stay clean is the motto when it comes to weed control. Super dry conditions, however, can throw a wrench in the best laid plans, as soil-applied herbicides may be less effective and timing a first pass is tricker as weeds are slow to emerge. To discuss per-emerge and early season weed control on… Read More
If you’re on the Canadian Prairies, chances are you could likely describe this winter as “meh.” There hasn’t been a lot of snowfall in most areas, and temperatures — until the last week or so — have been fairly mild. Eric Snodgrass, principal atmospheric scientist with Nutrien Ag Solutions, agrees, calling it a “boring winter”… Read More
There are few things as popular for farmers to discuss than the weather. While it’s still too early in the year to get a solid handle on spring trends, there are some fascinating weather patterns at play. To translate all the temperature, wind, moisture, and weather flows, we go to Eric Snodgrass, senior atmospheric scientist… Read More
Every conversation on soil health these days eventually comes around to the topic of organic matter. Does it really matter? What percentage should farmers have in their soil? How do you conserve organic matter? How do you build it? On this episode of Soil School, Bernard Tobin and University of Minnesota soil extension specialist Jodi… Read More