Canada Faces Drought – What’s the Impact on Agriculture

Mar 08, 2024

By: Farms.com

Canada is currently facing an alarming drought situation, sparking widespread concern across various sectors. After a notably warm winter with insufficient moisture, experts from the University of Alberta are stepping up to decode the potential impacts of these dry conditions on the nation's future.

Wildfires, agriculture, the economy, and daily lives could be reshaped in the face of dwindling water supplies. The conversation around water law is crucial as it underpins many of the challenges and strategies related to drought management.

The drought's influence on consumer behavior, particularly in the realm of sustainable food choices, is explored by agricultural economist Ellen Goddard. She notes the growing consumer emphasis on sustainability and the potential for drought-induced price increases to shift purchasing habits significantly.

Boyd Mori raises an alarm about the potential for grasshopper infestations to ravage prairie agriculture, a consequence of the mild winter failing to curb their populations.

As Canada navigates these turbulent waters, the insights from these experts underscore the urgency of adopting innovative solutions to address the wrath of mother nature.

The collective wisdom gathered here paints a vivid picture of the interconnectedness of ecological health, legal frameworks, economic stability, and community resilience in the face of agriculture adversity.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.