CBC News - 2 northern Alberta municipalities declare agricultural disasters due to dry conditions
“I should be getting 3,000 bales a year, and I’m probably going to hit 500 [bales this year]. Last year, there were about 1,000. This is about as severe as it’s gonna get for us.”
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This article from CBC News highlights how ongoing drought and worsening environmental stressors are placing severe pressure on livestock producers in northwestern Alberta. The Municipal District (M.D.) of Greenview and the neighbouring County of Grande Prairie have both declared agricultural disasters due to prolonged dry conditions and escalating concerns over feed shortages for cattle.
In the M.D. of Greenview, officials say the combination of record-setting drought and widespread grasshopper infestations has devastated hay and pasturelands, leaving many ranchers with only a fraction of their usual forage yield. One fourth-generation rancher reported a projected drop from 3,000 bales to just 500—nowhere near what is needed to sustain operations through the fall and winter.
Local leaders warn that if conditions don’t improve, many producers may be forced to sell off herds prematurely or exit the livestock industry entirely. They are calling for urgent support from provincial and federal governments, including inclusion in the federal livestock tax deferral program and expanded access to mental health resources for farmers facing mounting financial and emotional strain.
In response, Alberta’s Agriculture Ministry has affirmed its commitment to supporting affected producers, citing ongoing grant programs and continued advocacy for broader federal relief.
As Canada’s agricultural regions experience more frequent and prolonged dry spells, the importance of robust water and climate data becomes increasingly clear. Projects like Canada1Water (C1W) play a vital role in supporting agricultural resilience by offering national-scale hydrologic modelling and climate forecasting tools. By helping decision-makers assess water availability, drought risk, and seasonal shifts, C1W can inform smarter strategies for land use, resource allocation, and emergency planning. For communities like those in Greenview and Grande Prairie, access to this kind of data can be a lifeline in navigating an increasingly uncertain future.