Western Canada: drought

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Grassroots Information Coordination Center (GICC) : One Thread

CBC

Drought could reduce Western grain production: Wheat Board WebPosted Fri Jun 15 18:45:56 2001

EDMONTON - There are dire predictions from the Canadian Wheat Board in its annual weather report. The CWB says severe drought conditions in Western Canada could mean a huge drop in grain production this year.

INDEPTH: Down on the Farm LINKS: Websites related to this story

Alberta has already declared a drought disaster and farmers in parts of Saskatchewan are also suffering.

The CWB says it's already too late for many of them to bring in a good harvest.

"Right now the current expectation is for a below average crop if we had reasonably normal conditions from here on out," said Bruce Brunette, director of weather and crop surveillance for the CWB.

If the drought continues, the Wheat Board predicts production could drop by more than two million tonnes, or as much as 10 per cent.

(snip)

Cow-calf operations are also suffering. "It's disaster because our hay is already 'headed out.' That means it's finished growing, and the dandelions are taller than the hay," said Morris Ericson, who runs a ranch in the northern half of Alberta.

-- Rachel Gibson (rgibson@hotmail.com), June 15, 2001

Answers

If this pervasive drought, which seems to be everywhere, permeates Western Canada's wheat belt too, this could have serious consequences. They are kind a a world bread basket in this commodity.

-- Chance (fruitloops@hotmail.com), June 16, 2001.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ