Kelsey Sunaert speaks with a tour group beside a now-empty irrigation reservoir built on his Deloraine-area farm.

Tile recycling opens path to water Goldilocks zone

Tile drainage, capture and recycling system shows promise in face of increasing wet and dry extremes

A system to recycle tile drainage discharge is helping Kelsey Sunaert keep his field moisture levels just right. The system, installed on Sunaert’s Deloraine-area farm, uses tile to reclaim flooded fields, but that water doesn’t disappear downstream. Instead, it is retained and used for irrigation later in the season. “Not only do we get to farm those acres, but we

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Saskatchewan drainage work rebates expanded to farmers

Channel clearing, drain maintenance program shares eligible costs

A program to help rural Saskatchewan municipalities and local authorities cover costs of channel clearing and maintaining drains for flood prevention will now expand to include individual landowners. The province’s Water Security Agency (WSA) said Friday its $1 million cost-share rebate program will expand its eligibility beyond RMs, conservation and development area (C+D) authorities and


“What we’re trying to do here with these types of studies is to do some valuation of the grasslands.” – Marcos Cordeiro, University of Manitoba.

Using forages to fight flooding

Modelling study puts long-term numbers on forage’s flood prevention role

Planting more forage would be valuable for flood control, and new research has numbers to back that up. “We knew this from the start,” said Marcos Cordeiro, study lead and assistant professor of animal science at the University of Manitoba. Previous research, such as a study based in Saskatchewan in 2003, had already flagged forage

Spring flooding in south-central Manitoba in 2022.

Water agency promises to revive spirit of PFRA

In May, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated a pledge to establish a federal water agency in Winnipeg

Agricultural groups are welcoming federal plans to create a Canada Water Agency headquartered in Winnipeg. Jill Verwey, president of the Keystone Agricultural Producers, said her organization supports the creation of a Canada Water Agency in Manitoba and she looks forward to working with it to improve water quality and efficiency in the province. Why it


“Preventing the risk of waterborne disease is important and the province wants well and cistern owners to take steps to protect themselves.” – Dr. Brent Roussin, Chief Provincial Public Health Officer.

Free water testing if you’ve been affected by flooding

The province will waive water testing fees for flooded cisterns and wells for four months

Flood-impacted Manitobans will not have to pay to ensure their water is safe to drink. The province has announced a four-month period in which water testing fees will be waived for owners who had flooded wells and cisterns. Free tests are only available through Winnipeg’s Horizon Lab Ltd., until Aug. 31. Manitoba Environment and Climate

Overland flood warning issued for southwestern Manitoba

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre is issuing an overland flood warning for southwestern Manitoba as forecasters continue to monitor a precipitation system starting tomorrow morning that could bring as much as 150 millimetres (mm) of rain to the area tomorrow and May 13. A significant precipitation system is forecasted to affect most of


Mould in buildings is a human health hazard, and it must be removed, not just killed, to eliminate the hazard.

Spring moisture brings mould hazard

Danger brought by flooding doesn’t drop off once the water recedes

Flooding and seepage from saturated soils force many to clean wet buildings this spring. Ken Hellevang, a North Dakota State University Extension engineer, has these tips to help the cleanup go smoothly and safely: Stay safe When using wet/dry vacuums and other cleaning equipment, use an extension cord with a ground fault circuit interrupter or

Photo: File

Rain, drought highlight different growing areas

Eastern Prairies to see improved rains

MarketsFarm — Depending on which region you’re in, you could be stuck in a severe drought or facing rains that will help alleviate that dryness or push back when fields should be dry enough to begin spring planting. That’s the assessment from Drew Lerner, president and senior agricultural meteorologist at World Weather Inc. at Overland


A smoke column rises from a wildfire on May 4, 2023 near Lodgepole, Alta., about 30 km southwest of Drayton Valley. (Photo: Alberta Wildfire handout via Reuters)

Fire and floods across Western Canada force evacuations

Western Alberta towns of Edson, Drayton Valley ordered to evacuate

Reuters — A week of record-hot weather in Western Canada has forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes, as wildfires rage in parts of Alberta and rapid snow melt triggers flooding across interior British Columbia. By Friday, more than 13,000 people were under evacuation orders in Alberta. As of late Friday afternoon, 91 fires

Is your flooding checklist ready to go?

Is your flooding checklist ready to go?

From feed caches to clean water supply, producers should think about how to weather flooding this spring

Spring flood risk is back and it’s time for at-risk ranchers to implement plans for accessible feed and livestock assistance if water starts to rise. Options may include safety in enclosed structures, higher pasture ground, evacuation to higher ground or relocation to local alternatives such as an auction barn or fairgrounds. “Beef cattle out on