Rain helped crops and pasture, but livestock water concerns remain. (CHAT News File Photo)

By Brian Konrad

Crops and pastures helped by rainfall in county

Rainfall welcomed, but drought concerns remain

Jun 17, 2022 | 11:42 AM

DUNMORE, AB — The recent rainfall has been a boon for crops and pastures in Cypress County.

Since the start of the month, the Seven Persons area received 100 to 115 millimetres of rain, while around Hilda, amounts were between 25 and 38 millimetres.

Cypress County Agriculture Service Board chair Dustin Vossler says the moisture has helped stagnant crops take off and grow and should help produce better yields at harvest. Pastures have also greened up and raised the prospects of hay crops on dryland this year.

But Vossler says the drought is not over and the declaration of agriculture disaster in the county remains.

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“Even with the rain and the rain being able to help the grass, we are still struggling in a lot of areas for water for cattle,” says Vossler.

Vossler says the lack of spring runoff the last few years means there’s no water in dugouts and many ranchers are struggling trying to move cattle around due to the lack of drinking water.

Vossler says it takes a long time to replenish subsoil moisture reserves, and more rain will be needed as the summer moves along.