MarketsFarm — Varied weather across Alberta has made for an unpredictable pulse harvest. “We’ve seen everything from drought-like conditions in the south, to an overabundance of water in the central region, and to some degree in the north as well,” said Leanne Fischbuch, executive director of Alberta Pulse. Despite less-than-favourable weather conditions, pulse producers are […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Alberta markets optimistic despite weather
Watch for nitrate accumulation in hailed-out crops
There’s extra value in a salvage crop this year, but nitrates are a risk in crops such as canola and wheat
Reading Time: 2 minutes The issue of nitrate accumulation needs to be considered when salvaging hailed-out crops. “Nitrate accumulation occurs in a plant when it is injured and is not able to convert nitrate to protein efficiently after a hail storm,” said provincial beef and forage specialist Barry Yaremcio. “In non-legume crops, water and nutrients are pushed into the […] Read more
More — but less severe — hailstorms this year
June was the busiest month for hail claims in Alberta but July had the worst ones, says hail insurers
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta’s quiet storm activity resulted in below-average hail losses in the province this year. There was an early start to the hail season, with June 9, 14 and 25 being the top three storm dates — producing more than 100 claims and averaging more than $12,000 per claim. However, the most expensive storm dates were […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Heat blast threatens chickpea yields
CNS Canada — Temperatures as high as 38 C were recorded in the western Prairies over the weekend — and with that heat comes questions about crop impact. Lentils and peas are far enough along that the recent heat wave is unlikely to affect them from a yield perspective, according to Carl Potts of Saskatchewan […] Read more
Why Alberta gets more than its fair share of hail
The number or size of thunderstorms is less important than how close the freezing layer is to the ground
Reading Time: 4 minutes It’s time to continue our series of articles on different types of severe summer weather. I like to re-examine these topics every year or two due to the importance of understanding the different types of severe weather, and also because most people find this aspect of weather so fascinating. In this issue we are going to […] Read more
Nitrate accumulation a danger in hailed-out crops, says specialist
The crop, its development stage, and the amount of nitrogen in the soil all need to be considered
Reading Time: 2 minutes Think about nitrate accumulation when salvaging cereal, oilseed, or hay crops damaged by hail, says a provincial beef and forage specialist. “Nitrate accumulation occurs in a plant when it is injured and is not able to convert nitrate to protein efficiently after a hailstorm,” said Barry Yaremcio. “In non-legume crops, water and nutrients are pushed […] Read more
Watch for nitrate accumulation after a hailstorm
Water and nutrients, including nitrogen, are pushed into non-legume crops after hail damage
Reading Time: 2 minutes There are many things to consider when salvaging a damaged cereal, oilseed, or hay crop after a hail event. One of them is nitrate accumulation, which occurs in a plant when it is injured and unable to convert nitrate to protein efficiently after a hailstorm. In non-legume crops, water and nutrients are pushed into the […] Read more
Wet, cool conditions continue to delay harvest
Alberta crop conditions as of September 13
Reading Time: 2 minutes Through early September, conditions have generally been cool and moderately wet. Over the past week, almost all Regions in the province have experienced hail. Additionally, a frost occurred between September 12 and 13 in most fields of the South, Central, North West and Peace Regions. The potential damage of hail or frost has not yet […] Read more
It may not be a record but this year’s hail damage will be close
The great white combine has been decimating crops across most of the province and adjusters are struggling to keep up with claims
Reading Time: 3 minutes Increased hailstorms across Alberta have crushed many crops, and hail claims are soaring this year. “We’re trending to be similar to 2012, which was the record claim year,” said Nikki Booth, communications manager with the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation. “At this point in time, it’s looking like we will not be as high as 2012, […] Read more
If you’re going to feed hail-damaged crop to livestock, test it first
Doing a feed test ‘is much cheaper than losing an animal,’ says beef extension specialist
Reading Time: 2 minutes Hail damage this summer is approaching an all-time high — and with many producers putting livestock on their ruined fields, the risk of nitrate poisoning is also shooting up. So be sure to do a feed test first, said a beef extension specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “A feed test is much cheaper than […] Read more
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