![]() As expected, irrigated hay has fared much better. (Rachel Herbert)Īlberta Agriculture says the first cut of dryland hay is nearly complete, with the lowest yields - .9 tons per acre in southern Alberta, which is below the five-year average of 1.4 tons per acre. Alberta Agriculture says, as expected, irrigated hay crops fared much better than dryland crops. "In many cases, unless the crop or the hay crop is under irrigation, hay is nonexistent," said George Kueber.Īn irrigated hay field near Lethbridge, Alta. The Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) says it's too early to say how many insurance claims will be made this year, but the organization's claims adjusting manager says the situation in southern Alberta is bleak. Herbert, whose mid-size operation direct markets to customers, says there's not much wiggle room to raise beef prices and risk losing customers. She says hay prices have doubled this year and trucking costs have gone from $5 per kilometre to $8. "This year might be the the breaking point where we do have to downsize the mother cows," said Herbert. It's not just finding a supplier, but also paying the extra cost to ship the hay to their ranch. Hay producers in parts of central and northern Alberta have fared much better than their counterparts in the south. She says her family was unable to grow a hay crop this year due to drought conditions. ![]() Rachel Herbert with her horse, Jet, near Nanton, Alta.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |