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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.