A new report states that dry conditions are negatively impacting farms across southern Alberta. (Photo: Mniebuhr | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Southern Alberta crop conditions falling due to hot, dry summer

Aug 17, 2023 | 7:47 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A new report from the Government of Alberta claims that farmers across the region are struggling with the dry heat.

The latest Alberta Crop Report includes data from Aug. 8.

It states that, overall, the conditions to grow produce in southern Alberta is rated “good-to-excellent” in only 28.2 per cent of instances, compared to the five-year average of 49.9 per cent.

Alberta-wide, 42.8 per cent of growing conditions are good-to-excellent, which is about normal.

Potato farmers in southern Alberta appear to be faring well as 94 per cent hit this distinction. However, the conditions for other crops such as spring wheat, barley, oats, canola, and dry peas are far below the provincial averages.

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The main reason for this, according to the report, is a lack of moisture across much of the region.

Surface soil moisture ratings are considered poor in 63 per cent of available farmland, while 28 per cent is fair, seven percent is rated good, and no areas in southern Alberta have “excellent” surface soil moisture.

The report states that dryland crops are ripening quite fast and about 11 per cent have already been harvested.

A total of 15 municipalities in Alberta have declared agricultural disasters so far this summer, the most recent of which was the Municipal District of Pincher Creek on August 8, 2023.

At the time of the declaration, the M.D. said that drought conditions had impacted 50 to 90 per cent of crops, pasture and range yields due to a lack of spring and in-season moisture. High temperatures and winds were also cited as issues.

In Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, Environment Canada is calling for cooler temperatures starting on Saturday and at least of couple days of showers are expected over the coming week.

Until then, most of southern Alberta remains under a heat warning.