September deluge hits Alberta farmers hard during harvest time

Above-average rainfall over the past week has stopped farmers in their tracks from harvesting, and threatens to damage already reduced yields. 

Beginning on Sept. 12 and stretching into the next day, the Calgary region received between 30 and 50 mm of precipitation. 

That's an amount that Justin Shelley, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, says already exceeds the monthly average. 

"We normally see about 35 mm of precipitation in [total] in September and it looks like we're up to about 52 mm with this recent event," said Shelley. 

WATCH | Why this week's rain is throwing a wrench in farmer's plans:

September deluge creates more issues for Alberta farmers

3 months ago

Duration 1:48

The Calgary area was hit by up to 50 millimetres of rain this week, which might sound like a good thing for local farmers. But the storm brought so much rain, it's stalled the harvest — and there's another in the forecast for next week.

He said that after seeing a general pattern of below-average precipitation throughout this year (and the last couple), August marked a flip in that trend, bringing about 50 per cent more than the average rainfall. 

"So whether or not this is the start of a trend as we head into the fall or winter — or a blip — that's still to be seen." 

And while farmers typically don't complain about the rain, the timing — and sheer amount — of this recent torrent has some wishing for drier days. 

"[The rain] is kind of a double-edged sword. You know, it's one of those things that has its good and its bad benefits," says farmer Cam MacFarquhar. 

"But we are in the middle of harvest so it has sort of put things on hold."

More rain in forecast

MacFarquhar, who farms 2,000 acres of grain near Cremona, Alta., northwest of Calgary, said it's already been a tricky year with yields being much lower for many due to ongoing drought and heat waves over the summer. 

Now, he says he worries the rains could damage what little crop they have, and prolong cash flow constraints before they can pay off loans from the beginning of the year. 

"Rain slows down our time frame to be able to harvest and put money back into our bank accounts," said MacFarquhar.

"It can also have effects on quality, especially if it's a lot of rain, and [crops] sit out for a large period of time. Before you know it, it's lost 30 per cent of its value just by sitting out in the rain." 

That will impact many farmers' bottom line, says MacFarquhar, and could force them to make some difficult decisions for the upcoming year. 

Another heavy rainfall event is forecasted for the province this upcoming week. 

Shelley says the Calgary region could again be lined up to see the most precipitation, expecting a range of 50-75 mm. 

MacFarquhar says he would love to get his crops in before then, but worries there may not be enough time. 

"We're probably in the position that we won't be able to start going for another three or four days just due to all of the rain, everything needs to dry out.

"So we'll just have to sit on our hands and do all the other chores that we've neglected for the past year and just pray that the weather guys are wrong. I mean, rain is better than snow, so I'll say that much."