b'DROUGHTDry WeatherTHE DROUGHT EXPERIENCED across the Prairies this summer should prompt farmers to take action now as they lock Makes forin their seed purchases for next year.I think the outlook for planting seed going into 2022 is probably guarded. We certainly dont want to cry wolf, but we Guardedwould advise farmers to plan accordingly and not fall into the trap of picking up the phone in March or April and trying to find seed for next year. That way, if there is a shortage, seed Seed Supplycompanies have time to figure out a solution, says Monica Klaas, general manager of the Alberta Seed Processors and a Seeds Canada board member. Klaas says the summer heat and lack of rain has hit some Forecast regions harder than others, but regardless of how the seed harvest goes, 2022 will likely not be business as usual in terms of the seed supply.I dont think anyone would say we have a crisis on our hands, Extreme heat, drought on the Prairiesas many seed growers do carry inventory. That said, it would be wise to plan in advance, which many growers already do. The means seed companies may have to sooner you can get your seed, the better. With grain harvests rely on carryover stocks and move seedbeing lower in many areas, I dont think on-farm storage will longer distances to ensure customers be an issue. Last year we saw such good yields that storing seed wasnt an option for many growers, but this year things have get their supply. changed in that department.For Jake Ayre, seed grower and vice-president of the Keystone Agricultural Producers based in Manitoba, 2021 was a night-and-day year compared to 2020, when many regions experienced too much moisture. The lack of rain this summer affected seed growers in different ways depending on where they are located, he says. 10seed.ab.ca'