Drought severity easing across much of Prairies, AAFC reports

MarketsFarm — Drought conditions persisted across much of the Prairies during the month of March, although the extent and severity of the dryness was reduced in many areas, according to the latest Drought Monitor report from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

“While there have been substantial improvements to drought conditions across Western Canada since last summer (particularly in British Columbia, southern Manitoba and the northern agricultural regions of Saskatchewan and Alberta), many of these areas remain extremely vulnerable to drought going forward, as a result of low soil moisture reserves and depleted water supplies,” AAFC said in its report for the period ending March 31.

“An extended dry period this spring or summer would impact crops and pastures quicker and more severely as a result,” AAFC added.

“The main story across the Prairies for March was one of drought improvement, however degradation still took place in a few areas,” the report said. Parts of southern Alberta saw the area facing extreme drought conditions expand during the month.

However, northern areas of the Peace River region through to the southeastern corner of Manitoba saw better than normal precipitation over the winter months. Much of southern Manitoba was out of the drought zone, although western parts of the province remain dry.

Spring runoff helped alleviate dryness concerns in parts of southern Saskatchewan, according to the report. However, the region remains vulnerable.

The outlook for the next month calls for improvement across much of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, while western Alberta is forecast to see no change with worsening conditions in some pockets.

— Phil Franz-Warkentin reports for MarketsFarm from Winnipeg.