Hot and dry conditions could produce ‘catastrophic’ situation for Alberta ranchers

Southern Alberta ranchers are hitting a crisis point due to the continued hot and dry conditions this spring.

Southern Alberta ranchers have hit a crisis point due to the continued hot and dry conditions this spring, according to the vice chair of the Alberta Beef Producers.

By mid-June, Darwin Randle’s fields east of High River should be filled with green barley. This year, they’re dusty. Many seeds haven’t even germinated.

“We’re optimistic but preparing for the worst,” Randle said on Monday.

Randle grows barley, alfalfa and corn, and has 150 head of cattle that rely on rain to grow the grass they eat.

“We’re starting to look for some hay and straw. My reserves are pretty depleted. So hopefully I can sell some of the older livestock off. Prices are good at the moment. That’s a good thing,” Randle said.

“It’s devastating. There’s literally crops not germinating, grass pastures with nothing left and there is a water is a situation as well for the cattle,” said Sheila Hillmer, vice chair of the Alberta Beef Producers.

She said ranchers in southern Alberta depend on rainfall and snowpack to replenish the water supply but it’s not happening.

“These crops, even if they have irrigation, they are having problems with irrigation and they’re not able to access water,” Hilllmer said.