While wildfire smoke continues to blanket parts of Manitoba in haze and poor air quality, the agricultural impact is only one part of a much more serious situation, says Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) president Jill Verwey.
Verwey acknowledges that smoke-filled skies can sometimes reduce crop stress by lowering sunlight intensity and cooling temperatures during sensitive growth periods. But she says that benefit comes with a heavy cost.
“We’ve seen how it can ease heat pressure on crops, but it’s hard to view that as a positive when so many families are being forced from their homes and entire communities are under evacuation.”
With large-scale wildfires displacing people and threatening rural areas in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Verwey emphasizes that the focus remains on the human toll—not just on agricultural conditions.
Smoke’s effect on sunlight and heat
"I don’t know if there’s anything positive that can come out of it. It’s awful to work in," notes Verwey. "It’s unbelievable out there to be in it and to be working in it. It’s not that favourable, but it somewhat acts almost like a cloud."
She adds that smoky skies seem to take the edge off extreme heat, something she recalls observing a few summers ago when wildfires caused similar conditions. This week, Verwey says temperatures are slightly cooler, which could benefit crops like canola.
Canola flowers don’t like extreme heat
"Oh yes. Especially if you look at everything flowering — specifically canola — they don’t like intense heat," says Verwey. "If we have 30-plus weather during flowering, that just reduces your yield dramatically."
She explains that more moderate temperatures in the low to mid-20s are ideal during this critical crop stage. "That intense heat really finishes the flowering. If we don’t have a long flowering season, then that decreases the yield on that crop."
Rain would be a welcome relief
While smoke may offer some short-term temperature benefits, Verwey says what producers really need is rain.
She points out that parts of central Manitoba and the Interlake region are especially dry.
"It might even be too late for some of the hay crop, but it would certainly help with the pastures and dugouts," she says.