b'Numbers Shows Prairies Hit Hard by DroughtThe drought conditions in southern Alberta over the summer were equivalent to or lower than the 2002 drought, Statistics Canada says.Crop reports from across Western Canada have described the effects of record-high temperatures and lack of rainfall that have stressed crops. These reports have noted some crops have matured faster than normal or stagnated in their development, StatsCan reported.In mid-July, the Alberta government reported 36.6 per cent of the crops were in good to excellent condition compared with the five-year average of 74.1 per cent.Ashley RobinsonThe extreme heat and lack of rain also brought with it anDerkatch suspects that, geographically speaking, there may invasion of grasshoppers, but he adds that the dry weatherbe seed shortages in some regions, and seed companies will meant low disease pressure for many seed growers. have to work with retailers to ensure growers get access to what I guess you have to take the good with the bad, he says.they need. We did risk assessments on a few fields of wheat seed and weTodd Hyra agrees. SeCans western business manager has ended up not spraying fungicide just because we felt the diseasealready heard from some customers who have locked up some pressure just wasnt there. I heard the same from quite a fewearly supply from seed that was carried over from last year. seed growers across Manitoba and the Prairies. Seed growers generally grow more than they can sell in one year, so theres always this surge capacity thats out there to fill Seed, Grain not Created Equal some of that void. Sure, in some areas the seed may be hit hard, In some ways, seed yield may have an advantage over grainbut we have over 500 seed grower members in Western Canada. yields as the 2022 season approaches. Brent Derkatch, directorThats a diverse network across a broad geography, and seed of the Canterra Seeds pedigreed seed business unit, says canolawill move from region to region. We have a resilient system in seed is grown using irrigation, whereas canola grown as grainCanada that protects growers.is not.Protecting seed growers right now is crucial for the Canadian When it comes to other crops, like cereals and pulses, in aSeed Growers Association (CSGA), says Executive Director typical production year seed growers and companies maybeDoug Miller. He says CSGA has had discussions with its western wouldnt pay quite as much attention to their carryover stocks.provincial branches about the 2020 seed crop, and concerns That will definitely not be the case as we move into 2022wewere raised about seed stock availability for 2022.will need to rely in some areas on carryover to provide enoughWere encouraging (CSGA) members, when feasible and supply for farmer customers this coming season, Derkatch says.possible, to apply for inspection. Weve heard through our I think people in my position are going to be having moreprovincial branches that there are members out there who didnt detailed conversations with seed growers this fall, just toapply for inspection on fields that may be eligible, because of prepare ourselves collectively to know whats out there in termsthe weather or questions around the quality and viability of the of seed stocks. seed crop, Miller says. 12seed.ab.ca'