Western Canada

Scientist sounds water crisis alarm

Scientist sounds water crisis alarm

The megadrought affecting the western United States has prompted a scientist to warn that Canada’s prairie provinces need to better plan how water is used across the entire Saskatchewan river system. “A water expert from California we had up here a few years ago said that Alberta and Saskatchewan reminded him of California and Arizona around 1912,” said John Pomeroy, the Canada Research Chair in Water Resources and Climate Change at the University of Saskatchewan. “We’re still getting by OK, we have pretty loose agreements, everybody’s getting along, it’s fine – but we have trouble ahead.”

Prairie livestock producers facing shortage of feed, water as winter sets in

Prairie livestock producers facing shortage of feed, water as winter sets in

A national farm organization is asking the federal government to pitch in with efforts to move hay from the East Coast to struggling farmers and ranchers in Western Canada. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture is seeking financial support for its Hay West initiative, which aims to ship donated hay from Maritime farmers to drought-affected Prairie provinces.

BEYOND LOCAL: Ancient water management techniques may help farmers experiencing drought

BEYOND LOCAL: Ancient water management techniques may help farmers experiencing drought

This year witnessed one of the hottest and driest summers in recent history for Western Canada and the American Southwest. The resulting droughts adversely affected food supply and helped send meat prices rising three times faster than inflation. Despite the severity of these droughts, the worst may be yet to come. Extreme weather events are expected to become increasingly severe and frequent in the Prairies, with longer dry periods coupled with the risk of floods from intense rainstorms.

Maritime farmers doing 'what we can' to get surplus hay shipped to drought-stricken Prairies

Maritime farmers doing 'what we can' to get surplus hay shipped to drought-stricken Prairies

Hay from the Maritimes could make its way to the Prairies later this week as livestock producers in Western Canada struggle with devastating drought conditions. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) announced last week that it has started work to facilitate a initiative coined "Hay West," that will see surplus hay from farmers in eastern Canada sent west — where dire hay and feed shortages loom. Tim Marsh, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, said farmers in his province have extra and want to help out.

Thirsty? How floating islands could turn retention ponds into potable water

Thirsty? How floating islands could turn retention ponds into potable water

With drought conditions plaguing farmers across Western Canada, a team of researchers at Olds College is looking at some inventive ways to make runoff water around farms and feedlots go the distance. Sarah Offin explores whether native plants may be able to turn the tides on water contamination.