What can we expect for winter 2022-23? A summary from the National Agroclimate Risk Report (AAFC)

Monday, November 7, 2022

As we are heading into the winter months, I like to share some valuable information from the National Agroclimate Risk Report. The report is generated by Agriculture and Agriculture-Food Canada which provides timely information on the regional agroclimatic conditions, risks, and impacts across Canada.

The full report is available at: https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agriculture-and-environment/drought-watch-and-agroclimate/national-agroclimate-risk-report.

This report (generated on November 1, 2022) provided updates on regional conditions for the past months across Canada, as well as some forecast information for the upcoming winter. Here is some key information related to Atlantic Canada.

Regional Conditions for the Atlantic region:

·       Abnormally warm temperatures and ideal conditions for harvest have been reported.

·       PEI potato harvest is more than 95 % complete. Most potato farmers are reporting average yields and good quality, however, warm temperatures are not ideal for storage.

·       Soybean harvest has begun with good yields being reported. Grain corn harvest is underway. Apple and grape harvest is near-complete.

·       Hurricane Fiona has resulted in damage to corn to the point that it cannot be harvested and apple and grape yields have also been reduced.

·       Structural damage and downed trees are making farming challenging in some areas. A major concern is getting structures sound before winter.

 Forecast for the Atlantic region:

·       The short-term forecast is for warm temperatures across Eastern Canada

·       The Environmental and Climate Change Canada forecast for November is for warmer than normal temperatures from Manitoba east through the Atlantic Region.

·       Drier than normal conditions are forecast for southern Ontario and Quebec and Atlantic Canada

·       The three-month forecast (November, December, and January) shows warmer than normal temperatures continuing across Eastern Canada

 

Thanks,

Hugh Lyu

Wild Blueberry Specialist, Perennia