Agricultural moisture situation for February looks promising
During the first half of winter, most of the province enjoyed well above average temperatures that accompanied below normal precipitation accumulations and lower than average snow pack development. This was in sharp contrast to the wet weather patterns that dominated the growing season and hampered agriculture operations throughout many parts of the province last year.
The warm, dry trend that persisted since at least the start of winter ended abruptly across most of the province during the fourth week in January with cold arctic air flooding in from the north, that looks poised to persist for at least another 10-days. 90-Day temperature departures as of January 19, 2021 (Map 1)
Following a cold snap in mid-October, temperatures climbed above seasonal and remained consistently above normal well into mid-January. For many areas, this was a relatively rare event experienced on average less than once in 50-years.
During the last week of January a major weather pattern shift occurred as most of the province was plunged into the winter deep freeze. On January 24, temperatures hit -42°C at two stations 70 km west of Fort McMurray and - 40.2°C at the Beaver Dam AGCM station, just 30 km south of Cold Lake. Snowpacks relative to long term normal as of February 2 2021 (Map 2)
A warm start to winter and below normal precipitation accumulations led to well below normal snowpacks for this time of year throughout most of the province. This is particularly true of the western parts of the North West region, where warm weather all but melted out the snowpack by early January.
Currently snowpacks range from less than once in 50- year lows across parts of the North West out towards Edson, with several areas showing 12 to 25 year lows along a wide band stretching as far east as Lloydminster, as well as through parts of the south eastern Peace Region. However, there is still plenty of winter left and significant snow accumulations may still occur.
180-Day precipitation accumulations relative to normal as of February 2 2021 (Map 3)
Generally in mid to late August of 2020, many areas shifted away from a wetter pattern to a much drier one. This allowed parts of the previously wet North West to dry significantly with some areas experiencing precipitation accumulations on the order of 1 in 50-year lows. Similarly, lands across much of the North East and northern parts of the Central Region where it was previously very wet, have had a chance to dry out.
It is far too early to tell what the next growing season will be like. Dramatic shifts from wet to dry and hot to cold are frequent occurrences in Alberta’s meteorological record. Most areas will benefit from at least near normal precipitation patterns heading into spring planting.
Southern Alberta canola producers stand to benefit from a joint research project by Lethbridge College and Farming Smarter.
The project will study the effects of strip tillage and precision planting on canola crops. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) partly funds this three-year, Applied Research and Development (ARD) grant with $75,000 per year.
The research aims to increase crop emergence and seed yield in canola under western Canadian climate conditions by using improved crop production practices. Leading the research is Dr. Rezvan Karimi Dehkordi, research associate on the Mueller Applied Research in Irrigation Science team at Lethbridge College, and Farming Smarter research scientist Dr. Gurbir Dhillon.
“With demand for canola expected to rise by 26 million metric tonnes by the year 2025 to meet growing market demand, this research can help producers looking to increase production,” says Karimi, who will coordinate and supervise all research activities and data collection. “Since we have short, cold growing seasons, it’s important to properly prepare the seed bed so that seeds have a better chance to germinate.”
Strip tillage prepares the field by tilling narrow strips for planting while leaving areas between the strips with undisturbed crop residue. Studies show this can reduce soil erosion and soil compaction and improve soil quality. Precision planting is a method of seeding that involves placing seed at a precise spacing and depth with a precision planter.
“Farming Smarter has had great success in adopting precision planters to seed various crops, including pulses, wheat and hemp,” explains Dhillon. “In this project, we will evaluate different types of tillage operations and seeding methods to manage previous crop residues and determine if we can improve canola emergence and yield under both dryland and irrigated conditions.”
In 2020, Farming Smarter and Lethbridge College formalized and expanded a long-running partnership in a 15-year collaboration agreement that committed the two partners to pursuing opportunities to support the entire agriculture industry in southern Alberta and throughout the province. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) partly funds this three-year project with a $75,000 per year grant.
“We have worked with Farming Smarter on a number of projects, but this is the first time we have secured joint funding from one of the Government of
Canada’s Tri-Council funding agencies,” says Dr. Kenny Corscadden, Associate Vice President Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Ken Coles, Farming Smarter’s Executive Director, adds: "Partnerships are one of our core values and it’s through relationships like the one we’ve developed with Lethbridge College that we can deliver real solutions to our clients. We look forward to working with them on this project to develop best practices for canola farmers in southern Alberta.”
Farming Smarter exists to develop and disseminate scientifically sound, unbiased research and information to assist specialists and farmers adopt technologies to increase the profitability and sustainability of all innovative and progressive grain, forage, special crops and livestock producers in southern Alberta.
Agriculture research teams at Lethbridge College operate under the Integrated Agriculture Technology Centre (IATC). The
IATC connects small- and medium-sized enterprises in the agriculture industry with the technologies and research expertise at Lethbridge College to enhance their productivity, competitiveness and innovation results.
Lethbridge College’s Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a catalyst for economic growth, sustainability and social development in the region. It brings together researchers, community organizations and students to collaborate on projects that use new or existing knowledge to solve real-world challenges with immediate practical applications. Research Infosource ranked Lethbridge College has one of Canada’s fastest-growing research colleges while earning its highest ever placement in 2020’s annual ranking of Canada’s top 50 research colleges. The college placed 26th on the top 50 list released by Research Infosource and ranked third in research income growth.