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It's no secret that Alberta is facing drought conditions this year, despite an average snowfall prediction from the Farmer’s Almanac 2024. The dry weather continuing into spring, particularly in the Peace Region and areas surrounding Edmonton, underscores the importance of water management strategies and the need for sustainable irrigation practices.
Dr. Hushton Block from the Lacombe Research and Development Centre explains, “It tends to be issues of temperature and moisture that limit growth, and if we don't have enough moisture, you don't get the same level of growth [for crops and pastureland]. When farmers are dealing with drought and they're overgrazing pastures, they're reducing the future potential of those pastures to produce,” Block said. “In a pasture-type setting, pastures will get overgrazed to the point where cattle don’t have enough nutrition.”
Changes in traditional farming methods—such as the switch from discing to seed drilling—have helped in the conservation of agricultural water and prevention of topsoil erosion.
Fighting Drought in Alberta with Water Support
Alberta is no stranger to drought, as well farmers know. The most significant droughts in our history include that of 1929 to 1937, and that of 1983 to 1988. Though the more recent drought conditions were arguably more severe than those of the thirties, their effects were lessened by soil conservation methods, a better economy, and government assistance programs. Those programs have been expanded and fine-tuned for today’s agricultural needs, as evidenced by the ongoing efforts of organisations like the St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID).
After a disappointing winter’s snowfall this season, George Lohues, chair of SMRID, wrote an open letter to his Alberta region:
“The success of our irrigation season hinges on above-average winter snowpack in the Rocky Mountains and timely rains in the spring and summer of 2024 to replenish our current low water supply levels. To ensure that all irrigators within the SMRID are adequately prepared, we strongly advise each member to commence planning their crops considering the possibility of not receiving a full allocation of water per acre for the 2024 irrigation season.” At the time of writing, that allocation is set at 8 inches of water per acre—half that of a good year.
David Westwood, general manager of the St. Mary River Irrigation District, has confidence in the province’s plan to expand irrigation. These expansions include the use of underground pipelines, which should cut back on water loss through seepage evaporation. Ultimately, Westwood and his colleagues expect to use stored and available water sources more efficiently than ever.
As for livestock and poultry producers in Alberta, they can offset water shortage issues by sign up for drought support through Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (EPA). The EPA’s Temporary Livestock Water Assistance program provides help to producers who have an urgent need for water. EPA can assist in identifying alternative water sources and authorising their use under the Water Act.
In addition to drought conditions affecting farm businesses throughout the province, hobby farmers in Alberta will also need to plan carefully. Acreages and large-scale gardens that use micro tractors and compact tractor equipment can make the most of this year’s water supply by choosing low-maintenance crops such as barley, which is more drought-resistant than canola and wheat. As for vegetables, focusing your efforts on hardy, drought-resistant varieties of legume, peppers, eggplants, chard, cucumbers, sweet potatoes and squash will make the most of this year’s available rainfall.
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