Southern Alberta is experiencing a severe drought, and it’s affecting farmers and their crops. The lack of rain since mid-April has left the soil dry and crops turning brown. Farmers are worried about significant crop losses.
According to the Agricultural Moisture Situation update, a dry Spring has failed to recharge soil moisture. For many areas, the result is a one in 50-year low for this time of year.
Stephen Vandervalk, a fourth-generation grain farmer near Fort Macleod in southern Alberta, claims he is losing around five percent of his crop yields every day. Without rainfall soon, Vandervalk fears he will lose half of his crops.
“They are dying essentially. It’s something that we’ve never experienced before. We’ve had dry conditions later in the season but to have it at the end of May, beginning of June like this is unprecedented,” Vandervalk told Global News.
As if a drought wasn’t bad enough, farmers in southern Alberta are also plagued with grasshopper infestations, which requires spraying to prevent the complete destruction of crops.
“We are trying to spot spray areas because otherwise what happens (is) you will lose your entire crop. Zero. Bare to the ground,” explained Vandervalk.
Improved farming practices have prevented a catastrophe like the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, according to Vandervalk. But, if these dry conditions had occurred 30 or 40 years ago, southern Alberta would be as dry as a bone.
The lack of rain and grass is also impacting ranchers, as there is not enough food for their cattle to graze on. They are relying on winter storage feed, which is running low, according to Foothills County reeve Delilah Miller.
“Once those start to be depleted, which I’m hearing they’re getting close, they will either be buying feed or looking for other pastures because in this area, we’re certainly not seeing a lot of grass,” said Miller.
Miller said that farmers are hoping for rain in the next week to save their crops. If rain doesn’t come, the county may declare a drought emergency to seek federal assistance.
“For the lack of a better term, we are on the road to zero production here in this area south of Calgary to about Fort Macleod,” expressed Vandervalk.
Vandervalk explained that timely and regular rain is crucial for crops to survive. Canola crops might still be salvageable with steady rain in June and July, but cereal crops like barley and wheat are at risk.
He highlighted the importance of continued spraying to prevent weed problems in the future, even during difficult times.
“…The perfect example is wild oats — a horrible weed. You’re going to be farming next year so you have to do what’s best for next year not just was best for your pocketbook today,” said Vandervalk.
The lack of rain and moisture reserves have left crops struggling, and without significant rainfall, the future looks bleak for agriculture in southern Alberta.
