CALGARY- In rural Alberta, rain can make or break a farmer’s bottom line.
Just a few weeks ago the situation was becoming desperate for some producers, who had been keeping their eyes on the sky.
“When we were doing some plowing, you couldn’t see on the second go around of the fields,” says farmhand Del Faucher. “It was extremely dry, and with the fires it scared the heck out of me.”
Thanks to recent downpours throughout southern Alberta, workers have traded in a seat on the tractor for a seat at the local coffee shop.
“It’s just a matter of waiting it out, it’s just a relief, an unbelievable relief that we can’t explain,” Faucher adds. “Just a heavenly sprinkler.”
But while the wet weather is good for crops, animals aren’t so happy. Rancher Justin Hozack says two of the calves he cares for had to be treated for weather-related illness.
“We’ll check them pretty hard to make sure nothing gets sick with cold backs and all that stuff. Pneumonia can be an issue, scours can be an issue.”
According to the Alberta Wheat Commission, producers are about a week behind schedule, so the timing couldn’t be better for the dusty fields to soak in all the rain.
Once the skies clear, farmers will be busy seeding fields.
-With files from Bindu Suri
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