Southern Alberta farmers optimistic after recent rainfall
After a dry winter, southern Alberta farmers were expecting it to be another tough growing season.
But recent rainfall is offering hope this year could be different.
For two days much of southern Alberta was hit with a heavy rainstorm.
Some areas such as Magrath managed to get about three and a half inches of precipitation over the course of the storm.
That was a potential game-changer for some farmers.
“We're feeling a lot better," said Sean Stanford, who farms near Magrath. "We're feeling relieved. It was a good storm, lots of moisture dropped. Different amounts through southern Alberta, but we were pretty fortunate in my area we got a fair bit of rain. It's really going to help the crops this year."
Big change
The recent storm marks a big change from previous years.
Last year Magrath only saw about three inches of rain throughout the entire growing season.
The wet start to the 2024 growing season has farmers in the region feeling optimistic.
Stanford said “It's great news. Everybody's pretty excited and upbeat about it. There's still guys that are seeding and trying to get into the field and things like that. But most people have some crops in the ground already so it's going to be great for those.”
Some areas weren't as lucky.
Fort MacLeod and Claresholm only saw about an inch and a half of rain.
But after such a dry winter, any moisture is welcome.
“It's wet out there," said Stephen Vandervalk who farms outside Fort Macleod. "We won't be able to seed for a couple days. Nothing like Medicine Hat and those areas three or four inches in areas, but it's obviously huge.
"We needed the rain," he added. "(It) might make the seeding difficult but in the long run, it's fantastic (news)."
More rain needed
Farmers aren't out of the woods just yet.
While this rain helps, more will be needed through out the growing season to make up for reduced irrigation allocations.
That said, the prognosis is hopeful and the forecast promising.
“We're going to need a lot more going forward, but it's a huge start," Vandervalk said. "We haven't seen a rain like that since 2020 and then four or five years before that.”
More rain could be on the way.
Long-term forecasts from environment and climate change Canada are predicting the Lethbridge region could have average to above-average rainfall in May and June.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The root cause': Canada outlines national action plan to fight auto theft
The federal government is launching what it calls its 'national action plan' to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Michael Cohen says he stole from Trump's company as defence presses key hush money trial witness
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
'Next man up': Canucks coach, teammates bracing for Game 7 without Brock Boeser
Questions about how the team is going to handle the absence of star winger Brock Boeser from a do-or-die game seven dominated pre-game interviews with the Vancouver Canucks coach and players Monday morning.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.