Alberta crops down 37 per cent in 2021 but quality above 5-year average
Crop yields in Alberta were down 37 per cent below the five-year average in 2021, while quality was above, with the exception of malting barley and oats.
Favourable conditions also meant farmers across the province were three to four weeks ahead of schedule.
“The drought this year hurt our farmers and ranchers but their hard work and hope for a ‘better year next year’ is what built up our world-class agriculture sector," said Agriculture and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen
As of Oct. 12, harvest progress was 99 per cent complete across Alberta, well ahead of the five-year average of 71 per cent and the 10-year average of 81 per cent.
The northwest region had the highest yields (20 per cent below the five-year averages), and the south region had the lowest yields (56 per cent below the five-year averages).
Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) provides much-needed business risk management tools to producers facing adverse conditions and the AgriInsurance program offered a 20 per cent discount for the 2021 crop year.
"As the growing season progressed, it became clear this discount would help ease some of the financial burden on producers facing adverse conditions," the province said in a release.
AFSC is holding virtual Input Advisory Group meetings from Nov. 1 to 10 to gather feedback on potential changes to Moisture Deficiency Insurance.
The virtual meetings will focus on how to account for extreme heat and changing weather patterns and how to make the program more reflective of what happens on the insured fields. The deadline to sign up is Oct. 27.
In January, the province announced a 20 per cent reduction in insurance premiums, which it says has saved farmers and ranchers $70 million.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.