drought

More than three dozen major water users in southern Alberta have agreed to voluntarily curb their consumption if there’s a severe drought this spring or summer.  The province announced Friday that municipalities, irrigation districts and industry players have signed memorandums of understanding covering four sub-basins — the Red Deer River, the Bow River, the mainstem […]

To get an idea of the financial toll extreme weather is taking on this country’s agriculture industry, look no further than the government of Saskatchewan’s books. The prairie province had forecast a more than $1 billion surplus for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, but fresh budget documents released last month show that surplus […]

Ask John Wildenborg if he thinks Canadians will be paying more for steak during future barbecue seasons, and the owner of Calgary specialty butcher shop Master Meats doesn’t hesitate. “Prices are definitely going to go higher, no ifs, ands or buts about it,” he said. “It keeps me up at night, actually, thinking about coming […]

In the middle of an Alberta mountain playground, adjacent to a popular ski resort, there’s a well sunk into the bedrock that has John Pomeroy worried. The Marmot Creek well in Kananaskis Country has been there for generations, says the University of Saskatchewan water scientist. It’s one of the few groundwater monitoring wells that Alberta […]

Many farmers and producers might be dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones they are used to experiencing. However, with Christmas approaching and no snow in the forecast, it seems those dreams won’t be coming true. Trevor Hadwen, an agri-climate specialist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, said given the drought conditions the province […]

Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer presented the 2023-24 Mid-Year Report, revealing that global market conditions, severe drought and potash market dynamics are key factors contributing to a forecasted deficit at mid-year. The Mid-Year Report outlined a deficit of $250.5 million, down $1.3 billion from the budget and $736.1 million from the first quarter. […]

It could be a long, lean winter in cattle country as drought-ravaged western Canadian ranchers struggle to secure feed to get their livestock through the cold months. Near the town of Eastend in the southwest corner of Saskatchewan, Jocelyn Wasko and her husband Travis have spent much of the summer and fall preparing. They’ve worked hard […]

Sean Stanford’s wheat farm just south of Lethbridge, Alta. falls within the far left corner of Palliser’s Triangle — an expanse of prairie grassland encompassing much of southeast Alberta, a swath of southern Saskatchewan, and the southwest corner of Manitoba. The area is named for explorer Capt. John Palliser, who in 1857, famously declared the entire region […]

Central Butte is the site of today’s (Wed) townhall meeting hosted by the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association. It’s the 5th meeting over the last few weeks, taking in producer’s thoughts on the drought conditions and what can be done to provide immediate and long-term relief for them. CEO of the Cattlemen’s Association Grant McLellan has been […]

The talk of drought on the Canadian Prairies has been everywhere, from the municipal level, to provincial, and even federal. Federal Agriculture Critic, and Alberta Conservative MP for the Foothills constituency , John Barlow acknowledged farmers and ranchers in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba have been feeling anxiety. “I know a lot of the municipalities […]