The Canadian Press – 'Everything is dying': Prairie farmers, crops struggling with yearly droughts
“For crop producers, we’re seeing a reduction in yield potential. Crops are maturing much more rapidly than you would hope and will not produce as much seed content”
Red lentils are shown growing in a dry field on June 29, 2025, on Quinton Jacksteit's farm near Golden Prairie in southwest Saskatchewan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Quinton Jacksteit (Mandatory Credit)
This recent article from The Canadian Press offers a look at how prolonged drought is taking a severe toll on farmers across southwest Saskatchewan and other parts of the Canadian Prairies. Quinton Jacksteit, a farmer and reeve near Golden Prairie, says 2024 marks the ninth consecutive year his land has suffered from drought. With crops too short to yield a harvest, many like him are salvaging what they can as animal feed, while some multi-generational farms may not survive another season.
The federal drought monitor confirms large parts of the country are in various stages of drought, with southwest Saskatchewan among the hardest hit. Pastures have dried up, forcing ranchers to truck cattle hundreds of kilometres in search of green grazing land. In many areas, crops are maturing too quickly and with poor seed development, leading to low yields.
Rising input costs and inadequate insurance coverage have added to the strain. While some policy changes have helped— like allowing crops to be sold as feed without penalty— many producers argue that current support programs no longer reflect the realities of a changing climate. Additional reforms and long-term drought planning, including better water retention and hay supply networks are urgently needed.
As persistent drought reshapes Canada’s agricultural landscape, national-scale efforts like the Canada1Water project (C1W) are increasingly important. C1W offers detailed hydrological insights and climate data that can inform drought forecasting, water management, and long-term agricultural resilience. With conditions worsening year after year, tools like C1W are critical for helping policymakers and producers prepare for a more uncertain water future.