By Brian Konrad

Hot, dry weather a mixed blessing for agriculture

First stretch of heat this summer will impact area crops

Jul 28, 2020 | 11:22 AM

CYPRESS COUNTY, AB — The region hasn’t seen a string of temperatures in the mid-30s to this point of the summer, but it’s looking like that will happen from now into early next week.

While the heat will offer benefits to some farmers, it also brings challenges.

Crops need timely rain and heat to be at their best.

Southeastern Alberta had rain early, but Scott Lehr with Short Grass Ranches northeast of Medicine Hat says this kind of heat won’t help crops now.

“With this heat, crops and the prairie are going to run out of moisture real fast and start maturing,” said Lehr, who adds another rain would be a definite plus for crops and prevent them from burning up.

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Lehr says the only crop that may benefit from the heat is corn, but notes the heat and lack of rain is helpful as producers continue to bale this year’s hay crop.