A storm is seen off in the distance beyond a canola field in bloom in this file photo. Ag producers in southeast Alberta faced many hurdles in 2022, from drought to storms to avian flu.--FILE PHOTO
reporter@medicinehatnews.com
– In January greenhouse growers in the region are hit hard by increasing gas and electricity costs during a cold snap.
The federal government proposes a 30% emission reduction and producers were concerned about impact of lower fertilizer use on yield.
– Avian flu hits Canada in February.
– In March the invasion of Ukraine drives up wheat prices and increases food inflation in Canada.
– Free trade talks with Britain formally begin with hormone-treated Canadian beef a sticking point.
– By April avian flu has been confirmed in several Canadian provinces. In May, three more communities in Alberta have avian flu among flocks and bird deaths total 1.7 million across country. By late May, cases are confirmed in Cypress County and total number of cases in Alberta in June is 31.
– Seeding is ahead of schedule in May due to dry weather, but fears of continued drought haunt agriculture industry and feed supplies are low. By mid-month 5 mm of rain had fallen with seeding halfway done. Crop prices are up but the cost to produce them is predicted to be the highest ever.
Heavy rains roll through southern Alberta in early June as seeding finishes up but despite recent rains Cypress County declares another state of agriculture disaster due to years of drought. The rain is not enough to reverse pasture stunted by continued drought.
– Federal government ends registration of liquid Strychnine leaving producers with no method of managing gopher populations.
– In July soil and subsoil moisture levels have improved due to June rains, but crop quality is behind five- and 10-year averages. High numbers of flea beetles and gophers are challenging producers in southern Alberta. A heatwave hits mid-month and doesn’t relent for the rest of summer.
– Canadian Cattlemen’s Association changes name to Canadian Cattle Association to be more gender inclusive.
Massive storm and tornado rolls through the region on July 18, damaging houses and irrigation pivots, displacing grain bins and causing large amounts of hail damage to crops in some areas of Cypress County. Where crops aren’t damaged, large amounts of debris are left in fields that must be removed before machinery can access them.
– Grasshopper populations explode in August as heat wave continues. Aphid and flea beetle numbers remain high, with drought conditions significant and diseases affecting crops.
– The 10th annual Open Farm Days are successful. A fire ban is put into place due to a high fire risk across Cypress County. Soil and sub-soil moisture levels continue to decline with 43% of soil rated fair, 43% poor, 13% good and 1% excellent in region. Hot, dry weather accelerates crop development and harvest begins for fall-seeded crops. Overall, Canadian crop yields are expected to be good for 2022.
– In September southeast Alberta cattle producers qualify for federal tax deferral measures for sixth time out of seven years. Coddling moth decimates local apple crops in parts of Medicine Hat.
– In November Premier Danielle Smith promises to twin all of Highway 3 in next decade, with shovels to hit the ground between Burdett and Taber in spring 2023.
– Cold weather and snow hit in early November with short warming periods between more snow and cold, a pattern that continues well into December.
