Skip to content

Central Alberta farmers not worried about ‘sizzling’ summer temperatures yet

A hot Alberta summer is in the forecast, according to Farmers’ Almanac
28919178_web1_crop-1
Central Alberta farmers say they will face whatever the weather brings. (Advocate file photo)

Farmers’ Almanac’s predicts “sizzling temperatures” and “scattered showery weather” for Alberta this summer.

“Our extended forecast points to a sizzling summer– especially across Central and Western Canada in the middle and latter part of July. Many localities during that time will be dealing with highs of 30 to 35C,” said a report in the Almanac.

The prairie provinces could get “squally weather” in early July, but fair weather should return in early August. After mid-August the worst of the heat should be over, the Almanac said.

But Jungle Farm owner Blaine Staples said predicting weather more than five days out, never mind a few months, is a shot in the dark.

“We really agonize a whole lot about something we can’t do much about,” Staples said.

“Weather forecasters, if they were paid by the number of times they’re right, they would not exist. There’s a lot of science and a lot of effort that goes into it, but it hasn’t become reliable by any means.”

Related:

Year in review: Dry conditions, record heat wave highlight Red Deer’s 2021 weather

The Innisfail-area farmer said he’s just planning on an average summer.

“We’re really lucky here along the Highway 2 corridor. We get pretty consistent weather. There’s not many years we can’t get reasonable crops. We generally get enough moisture. As long as we don’t get hailed out, we can usually get a pretty good crop.”

He said even last summer’s extreme heat wasn’t a disaster for grain crops. Harvest was on the low side of average in the area.

Usually, there is warmer weather by now, but it’s still within the average range, and about 10 days from now there should be a lot of people seeding, he said.

“People are really going to go at it, and get going hard, as soon as it warms up a little bit,” Staples said.

Related:

Expert explains about the ‘heat dome’ hovering above B.C., Alberta and territories

Sylvan Lake farmer Mike Ammeter said pastures and hayfields likely still need more moisture after last year. But sometimes it takes a few years to get out of a dry or a wet cycle.

“It’s rarely a one and done. I hate to say that, but that is quite often what can happen,” Ammeter said.

He said recent snow provided a good shot of moisture for most farmers in the area and they are ready to get into the fields. All anyone can do is plan for a good crop, work hard and hope for the best, including the right weather through the upcoming months.

“It’s a long way to having a crop in the bin.”



szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter