MarketsFarm — Highly varied precipitation across the Canadian Prairies in May saw drought conditions worsen in southern Alberta while parts of Manitoba and Saskatchewan were becoming too wet, according to the latest federal Drought Monitor report.
The report, released by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) for the period ended May 31, showed that overall, 19 per cent of the Prairie region was classified as abnormally dry or in moderate to extreme drought at the end of the month, including 44 per cent of the agricultural areas. That was down from 29 per cent and 63 per cent respectively the previous month.
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Southern Alberta has received only 40 to 60 per cent of normal moisture during the past three months, causing the area under extreme drought to expand, according to the report. Limited availability of surface water or runoff was leading to pumping water and pasture delays, dugouts drying up and stream flows reported at very low levels. There were also reports of crops not getting planted at all given the lack of moisture.
Meanwhile, precipitation in eastern Saskatchewan through Manitoba was 150 to 200 per cent of normal during the same timeframe. None of Manitoba was dealing with drought conditions at the end of May, while most of the eastern half of Saskatchewan was also drought-free.
As a result of this considerable moisture, there were reports of cattle showing signs of feet ailments from standing in deep mud, as well as limited or no access to fields for seeding.
Additional impacts include soil erosion from the rapid, heavy runoff, overflowing dugouts and sloughs as well as challenges to harvesting wild hay if wet conditions persist, according to the report.
For more content related to drought management visit The Dry Times, where you can find a collection of stories from our family of publications as well as links to external resources to support your decisions through these difficult times.
