Lake Mead’s Boulder Basin in July 2008. (Andrew Cattoir photo courtesy NPS via Flickr)

Reservoir formed by Hoover Dam dips to record low

Reuters — The largest capacity reservoir in the United States has hit its lowest water level in history following years of severe drought that have dramatically reduced flows from the Colorado River, water managers said on Wednesday. Officials said Nevada’s Lake Mead, the 79-year-old reservoir created by the massive Hoover Dam, registered 1,074.98 feet (327.7 […] Read more

Prices to rise as yield prospects drop for durum

CNS Canada — Mounting dryness concerns in some of the prime durum-growing regions of Western Canada have likely already cut into yield prospects, which should support prices going forward. Canadian farmers intended to plant 5.5 million acres of durum this year, well above the 4.75 million seeded the previous year and the largest crop since […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Western states to get US$110M in drought aid

Washington | Reuters — The White House said Friday it would spend an additional US$110 million to help farmers and communities in western states hit hard by drought and wildfires. The drought has affected a third of the western United States, and President Barack Obama was slated to discuss it with western governors in a […] Read more

California curtails some senior water rights due to drought

Los Angeles | Reuters — California’s water board curtailed senior water rights on Friday in the state’s Delta, San Joaquin and Sacramento regions due to drought, in the first move of its kind during the current drought, officials said. The curtailment affects more than 100 senior water rights holders, with most of those located near […] Read more

Dry areas of Prairies still waiting for rain

Dry areas of Prairies still waiting for rain

CNS Canada –– The continued lack of moisture across a large portion of Alberta and Saskatchewan is becoming more of a concern for farmers in the region, but there is a chance of rain in some nearby forecasts. Shannon Friesen, a cropping management specialist for Saskatchewan Agriculture in Moose Jaw, said some livestock producers are […] Read more


(Canada Beef Inc. photo)

Lethbridge feed barley feels slight lift from canola

CNS Canada — It seems the recent surge in canola has carried over to the feed barley market near Lethbridge. A weekend frost and other issues saw canola futures jump sharply in recent days, and according to trader Jim Beusekom at Market Place Commodities near Lethbridge, that rally has given strength to the feed barley […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

West’s soaked, parched tax deferral zones expanded

More rural municipalities and counties that saw drought or excess moisture last year have been added to the federal list of areas where ranchers may now defer some of their 2014 taxable income. The federal government on Thursday rolled out its final list of designated areas for the 2014 tax year, adding to an already-long […] Read more