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Calgary Herald

Despite raging wildfires, Canada's breadbasket expected to deliver plentiful crop

Smoke from wildfires has shrouded grain farming regions in Saskatchewan, but most fields have avoided drought-like conditions and received the moisture they need to grow a plentiful crop this season. Article content But variable weather, uncertain grain prices and a volatile trade environment have made farmers and industry watchers cautious about taking a victory lap just yet. Article content Article content 'For Saskatchewan and Western Canada, we are expecting yields to actually be above the five- and ten-year averages,' Anderson said. 'We use satellite imagery to predict yields and patterns, and what we see right now is looking like how 2020 was coming together. That year that was a pretty good yielding crop.' Article content Having said that, Anderson was cautious, adding that farmers are not through the growing season yet. Many areas have crops that look good but still need more rain. Article content Hot and dry conditions have turned northern Saskatchewan's boreal forest into a tinderbox this spring and summer, sparking a challenging wildfire season that has forced thousands of people to flee from their homes. Article content Many farms across the Prairies suffered a severe drought in 2021 after record-high temperatures and a lack of rain decimated crops. Article content Article content For growing regions in southern Saskatchewan, this season is turning out to be far better, but the industry expects some challenges. Prices for some commodities could be down, and higher input costs are expected to reduce farm incomes. Article content Article content Commodities not protected by Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA, could be hit with tariffs at the Canada-U.S. border, and transportation delays could continue to hamper shipments to global markets. Article content Jake Leguee, who grows a variety of crops on his farm in south-east Saskatchewan, said this year is looking promising, but that's not the case for all regions of the province. Article content 'Conditions are pretty good for us,' said Leguee, the chair of SaskWheat, an organization dedicated to enhancing Saskatchewan's wheat production. 'We've had our dry periods, but we've been able to get timely enough rain to keep things going.'