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Parts of Western Canada could see snow showers in September

Parts of Western Canada could see snow showers in September

The Old Farmer’s Almanac recently released its long range winter forecast

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

Farmers in Western Canada might experience early signs of winter this year, as snow showers could hit in mid-September, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

From September 15 to 22, rain, snow showers and cold temperatures could occur across The Prairies, according to the almanac.

And that’s not good news for producers.

“We dealt with that (weather) last year and for a week we thought we weren’t going to be able to continue harvesting,” Megz Reynolds, a farmer that grows peas, lentils and barley near Swift Current, Sask., told Farms.com. “Rain and snow during harvest isn’t good. If that happens, whatever it is you’re trying to get off the field, that crop is going to downgrade.”

The Old Farmer’s Almanac also released its long range forecast from November 2017 to October 2018.

This winter, temperatures could be milder than normal. The coldest periods across Western Canada will occur from late November to about early January.

Winter precipitation will be below normal amounts, with the most snow falling in mid-November and mid-March.

In the spring, April and May could be slightly cooler than usual for the Prairies but the region could experience higher levels of precipitation.

With the extremely dry summer in Saskatchewan this year, precipitation early in the 2018 growing season could help.

“Rain at that point might not be too bad,” Reynolds said. “A lot of people don’t get started until the end of April. So, if there’s rain at the beginning of the month, your fields are setting up to have good moisture going into the growing year.”

The Almanac also predicts a warmer than normal summer in Western Canada next year.

Top photo: Megz Reynolds/Twitter


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The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.

 

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