Achi news desk-
Parts of southern Alberta are expecting significant rainfall over the next few days, which is welcome news for farmers.
“It’s going to be a big help to all the farmers in southern Alberta,” said Gary Stanford, a farmer from Magrath.
“It will be a big help for dryland farmers and the cow fields but also, it’s going to be a big help for irrigated farmers.”
Widespread rainfall between 50 and 70 millimeters is expected across southeastern Alberta.
Stanford serves as a representative on the Alberta Grains Commission and farms wheat, barley, canola and alfalfa.
He has farmed for over 40 years and says the last few have been among his driest.
“There was no rain in April and early May. All summer, it was hot and dry,” said Stanford.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued rainfall warnings for southeastern Alberta.
The agency says most of the rain is expected Monday and Tuesday night and rainfall totals will vary.
“It’s going to be significant — probably some of the heaviest rain we’ve seen in years across the region, in terms of overall coverage,” said Drew Lerner, World Weather senior agriculture meteorologist.
According to Lerner, southern Alberta is entering its seventh year of below-normal precipitation, which has depleted subsoil moisture.
For the area, this expected rainfall is very important to provide subsoil moisture back to the area, helping plants to grow.
“This will not break the drought. This will continue to alleviate the drought, and it is a huge benefit. We will definitely see some relief,” Lerner said.
Lerner says this initial precipitation event provides enough time for subsequent rain to offset the effect of the area’s drought over the past few years.
“I have a lot of good hope that we’re going to see a fairly good production year, although the official drought won’t necessarily be completely eliminated this growing season,” he said.
