Publications

Improving pasture productivity : working with the weather

Description

Forage yield and variability are closely tied to weather and climate. Although you can’t control the weather, you can manage your pastures to deal with the challenges of your local conditions. By... More ≫

Description

Forage yield and variability are closely tied to weather and climate. Although you can’t control the weather, you can manage your pastures to deal with the challenges of your local conditions. By working with the weather, you can improve pasture productivity and reduce drought risk, while also contributing to a healthy environment by reducing soil erosion, improving water quality and maintaining wildlife habitat.

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Weather forecasting and terminology

Description

The Atmospheric Environment Service of Environment Canada is responsible for general weather services in Canada. The Alberta Weather Centre, one of eight regional centres, provides services for... More ≫

Description

The Atmospheric Environment Service of Environment Canada is responsible for general weather services in Canada. The Alberta Weather Centre, one of eight regional centres, provides services for Alberta and northeastern British Columbia from its office in Edmonton. The Alberta Weather Centre operates 24 hours a day, year round. Its primary responsibility is to issue weather warnings and advisories for severe or hazardous weather conditions, which could cause serious inconveniences or endanger life or property. In addition, forecasters continually issue weather information to serve the general public, the media, and industries such as agriculture.

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Protection against frost damage

Description

Frost risk is an important fact of life for agriculture. Freezing temperatures restrict the length of the growing season and are responsible for reductions in yield and quality of agricultural... More ≫

Description

Frost risk is an important fact of life for agriculture. Freezing temperatures restrict the length of the growing season and are responsible for reductions in yield and quality of agricultural crops. Sensitive crops can suffer serious damage at temperatures above freezing as well. In either case, the minimum temperature is critical. Of all the weather factors affecting agriculture, minimum temperature is among the most variable from place to place. Adjacent fields and garden sites can have very different frost-free periods, and are therefore suited to different uses. Risk can be reduced by careful management of the land and effective reaction to forecasts. Late spring and early fall frosts usually involve minimum temperatures just slightly below freezing, It is in these situations that preventive measures can be most effective. By successfully averting a single freezing situation, the growing season may be extended by weeks.

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