Lack of snow worries Sask. farmers ahead of 2018 season

Thousands of farmers are in Saskatoon this week, taking in Crop Production Week events across the city.

As they look at new technology and hulking combines, some are sharing how their 2017 growing season went.

“It was better than I thought it would be,” said Devone Fulston, who farms just outside of Tugaske, Sask. — located about 100 kilometres northwest of Moose Jaw.

He said 2017 was extremely dry in the area, and the lack of snow this winter isn’t easing concerns for the season ahead.

“It’s like Saskatoon is, basically brown,” he said. “We can’t grow two seasons on no rain.”

Many farmers depend on winter snow cover for moisture in the spring, which seeps below the soil and provides some insurance for crops through dry spells.

However, the Saskatoon and Regina areas have only received 40 millimetres of precipitation since October according to Environment Canada including snowfall.

Bethune farmer John Headford told 650 CKOM his soybean crop suffered after a record-dry 2017 in the southern half of the province.

He said another down season could make it difficult for producers to purchase new equipment — like the tech displayed at Crop Production Week.

“If we don’t get moisture, yields will be down immensely,” he said. “It makes it hard to replace stuff when you don’t have any money.”

However, like all others in his line of work, Headford admits all they can do is hope for the best.

“There’s not much you can do about Mother Nature,” he said. “Just wait and see, and hope she provides.”