It’s hard to tell what season it is in parts of Manitoba.
“We’re used to seeing groomed trails for the sleds to go on, just seeing all the fields black,” said Kendall Enns, who farms in Elm Creek. “It’s different.”
A mere half hour southwest of Winnipeg the lack of snow has farmers like Kendal wondering what will happen to winter crops.
The snow cover is always nice but right now we’re thinking the winter wheat will be fine but I guess time will tell,” Kendall said.
Snow is on the way for the region, but it won’t make much of a difference.
“This is the driest year on record,” said Fred Rempel, who has been farming for 54 years and keeping records for almost as long.
By his measurements not even an inch and a half of perception fell on Elm Creek since September. That’s around 70 per cent less than normal.
“Too wet is worse than too dry but you still need moisture for germinating and at present time we don’t have it,” said Rempel.
Last year’s soggy spring meant flooding, something forecasters say won’t be as severe this time around.
Enns hopes to get on his field as soon as next month to make up lost time.
Comments