As dairy farmers in Ontario and Quebec work through winter stocks of corn silage, a number of weather-related factors from the summer and fall of 2023 have turned up as potential causes for concern. Wet and overcast weather – in some locations of the record-breaking variety – was persistent from late June through November across […] Read more
Tag Archives weather — page 8
Effects of wet corn growing season harm feed quantity, quality
Low starch and silage heating have both been observed
Taking the pulse of plant growth
Plant roots mysteriously pulsate and we don’t know why, but finding that out could change the way we grow things
As a farmer, you probably think about plant roots more than most. Even so, they can be easy to overlook. They’re hidden underground, after all. Yet they’re continually changing the shape of the world. This process happens in your fields, where plants use invisible mechanisms for their never-ending growth. Scientists discovered about 15 years ago that genes […] Read more
Precipitation does little for Prairie drought relief
Most areas dryer than a year ago, drought monitor shows
While much of the Prairies received above-normal amounts of precipitation during the month of February, the additional moisture did little to alleviate dry conditions according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) Canadian Drought Monitor (CDM).
Temperatures are rising, but soil is getting wetter. Why?
Science Notes: Research finds precipitation, rather than temperature, explains soil moisture trends
Soil moisture can determine how quickly a wildfire spreads, how fast a hill turns into a mudslide and, perhaps most importantly, how productive our food systems are. As temperatures rise due to human-caused climate change, some researchers are concerned that soils will dry. However, between 2011 and 2020, soil moisture increased across 57 per cent of the United […] Read more
Prairie forecast: Stormy start in the east, warming in the west
Issued March 6, covering March 6 to 13, 2024
After what was probably the biggest storm system of the winter, it looks like this forecast period will see a break from the active weather for the most part.
Prairie forecast: Storm system heads for southern Prairies
Updates forecast issued Feb. 29, covering Feb. 29 to March 6, 2024
The weather models have come into fairly good agreement for the storm system forecasted to impact much of the southern prairies over the next 24 to 48 hours. An area of low pressure is developing over Wyoming with an inverted trough stretching northwestwards.
Opinion: Fertile ground needed in climate fight
Glacier FarmMedia – Canada is the latest nation to join a multinational group looking to advance efficient and novel fertilizers, known as the Efficient Fertilizer Consortium. It’s not a shocking development for a federal government that’s made climate policy one ofits signature initiatives. The stated goals of the group are downright ‘mom and apple pie’, […] Read more
Fading El Niño to be replaced by La Niña: The Weather Network
Warmer than normal temperatures expected to continue on the Prairies
Fading El Niño weather patterns will be replaced by La Niña conditions heading into the summer, according to the latest seasonal forecast from The Weather Network.
Prairie forecast: More much-needed moisture expected
Issued Feb. 29, covering Feb. 29 to March 6, 2024
Cold Arctic air has invaded the Prairies much to many people’s surprise. We have gotten so used to mild spring-like weather that some people may be put off that winter has returned. For those who read my last column, this type of weather shouldn't be surprising since we are now moving into what can be the snowiest time of the year.
Prairie forecast update: Storms roll in
Updates forecast issued Feb. 21, 2024
The weather models are coming into agreement with up coming storm system. The low was forecasted to develop over southern Alberta on Sunday with widespread snow developing to the north and west of the low. This placed the Edmonton region in the main snow band with 10 or so centimetres forecasted to fall across this region. The snow should move out quickly on Monday as cold arctic air pours southwards behind the low dropping temperatures to below average, but only for a couple of day.
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
