From western Alberta all the way to Winnipeg, the southern Prairie has seen less than 40% of normal precipitation over the past 30 days. And even in those mainly more northern areas that have done relatively better in terms of moisture, rainfall has only been 60 to 85% of normal.
Although the lack of rain is certainly helping to push the harvest along, the situation is becoming increasingly dire for those areas that were already overly dry heading into August and for livestock producers who have seen pastures burn up in the heat and forage production well below normal. Indeed, Thursday’s Saskatchewan crop report pegged topsoil moisture across the province at 75% short to very short as of Monday, described crop yields as ‘highly variable’ depending on rainfall and noted the increased risk of fires.
Meanwhile, the latest Canadian Agriculture Weather Prognosticator from World Weather Inc. isn’t suggesting any major turnaround, at least in the short term.
Although improved precipitation is expected in late September and October, current subsoil moisture deficits are expected to largely remain, especially in those areas – including portions of eastern Alberta and western Saskatchewan – where rainfall may remain stubbornly low, World Weather said.
If that is the case, some Prairie producers may again be looking at a situation where they are coming into the spring season with very little moisture in the ground for planting.
Did some digging and were not at the levels of the year 1988 for subsoil at this time of year. That for us was the driest since the famous 1961.
Dugouts have more than last year at this time but digging into the parched ground the top is dry. Even the lumps have dried out.
The nice thing is swathing this fall all fields except 7 are going to be end to end. Fall kelly harrowing on stubble will be nill just low areas.
Boys we better put on the dancing shoes and start a rain dance as its yes dry.
I don't have to ask what others are seeing but the Tank is Empty.
Not fumes, not ten more miles but Empty.
Although the lack of rain is certainly helping to push the harvest along, the situation is becoming increasingly dire for those areas that were already overly dry heading into August and for livestock producers who have seen pastures burn up in the heat and forage production well below normal. Indeed, Thursday’s Saskatchewan crop report pegged topsoil moisture across the province at 75% short to very short as of Monday, described crop yields as ‘highly variable’ depending on rainfall and noted the increased risk of fires.
Meanwhile, the latest Canadian Agriculture Weather Prognosticator from World Weather Inc. isn’t suggesting any major turnaround, at least in the short term.
Although improved precipitation is expected in late September and October, current subsoil moisture deficits are expected to largely remain, especially in those areas – including portions of eastern Alberta and western Saskatchewan – where rainfall may remain stubbornly low, World Weather said.
If that is the case, some Prairie producers may again be looking at a situation where they are coming into the spring season with very little moisture in the ground for planting.
Did some digging and were not at the levels of the year 1988 for subsoil at this time of year. That for us was the driest since the famous 1961.
Dugouts have more than last year at this time but digging into the parched ground the top is dry. Even the lumps have dried out.
The nice thing is swathing this fall all fields except 7 are going to be end to end. Fall kelly harrowing on stubble will be nill just low areas.
Boys we better put on the dancing shoes and start a rain dance as its yes dry.
I don't have to ask what others are seeing but the Tank is Empty.
Not fumes, not ten more miles but Empty.
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