MarketsFarm — There were almost 1,000 claims for hail damage across the Prairies following a series of storms Sept. 15-20, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association (CCHA). The CCHA said the most destructive of the storms during that week came on Sept. 17. “There is significant damage from this late–season storm. There was heavy […] Read more
Storms leave close to 1,000 hail claims on Prairies
Prairie hail claims pass 10,000 for year
MarketsFarm — More than 10,000 claims for hail damage have been filed by Prairie farmers so far in 2019 with insurance companies belonging to the Canadian Crop Hail Association. Between July 27 and Aug. 6, hail on the Prairies saw farmers add 900 claims alone, according to a CCHA press release Friday. To date overall, […] Read more
Pulse weekly outlook: Alberta markets optimistic despite weather
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
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
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
