Trevor Hadwen, an agroclimate specialist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Regina, says the most significant improvements this month have come in the southern Prairies. He explains that recent rainfall brought much-needed relief to southern Saskatchewan, Alberta, and the southern edge of Manitoba, where drought conditions have eased.
“There’s been significant change in a number of regions across the country this month,” notes Hadwen.
“The greatest improvement has been throughout the southern Prairies,” says Hadwen.
He adds that although the north also received average to above-average precipitation, many regions remain in drought. The Peace River area of Alberta, northern Saskatchewan, and much of Manitoba continue to struggle with very dry conditions.
“We are seeing the continuation of large pockets of exceptional or extreme drought conditions, especially in the Interlake area of Manitoba, as well as the Peace River region of Alberta,” says Hadwen.
“Again, the southern Prairies are doing fairly well, they’re recovering,” adds Hadwen.
He continues that progress has been uneven, with troubling signs in the north and Interlake region despite the recovery further south.
Agricultural concerns remain
Hadwen says while rainfall is welcome, its immediate impact on crops is limited. With harvest already underway, most crops are too advanced to benefit.
“At this time of year we’re looking for moisture to recover from the drought that we’ve had throughout the last year or previous years,” notes Hadwen.
“The moisture that we’ve seen recently in southern portions of the province have really started to provide that benefit,” he adds.
He explains that the current drought is creating more pressure on livestock producers than on crop farmers at this stage of the season. Water supplies, feed availability, and pasture conditions remain serious issues.
“From the crop perspective the moisture that we receive now isn’t necessarily beneficial until next spring,” adds Hadwen.
“The northern portions of the province are still in very dry conditions and we’re seeing some very significant issues with pasture conditions, feed availability and water supplies for livestock,” continues Hadwen.
He notes that livestock concerns will dominate the fall, while the effect of drought on crops is beginning to diminish as the harvest progresses.
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