Spring has sprung a leak

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This article was published 12/04/2021 (1634 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitobans relishing in the warmth of an early spring are in for a rude wakeup today with wintry weather set to make an abrupt comeback across the province.

Not everybody thinks that’s bad news, however, as farmers are hoping a blast of precipitation — in any form — will put much-needed moisture back into unusually dry soil.

“This is exactly what the doctor ordered — there will be grins on the face of every farmer in Manitoba if we get two feet of snow,” said Phillip Veldhuis, president of Direct Farm Manitoba.

After just a few dustings of snow through the winter, two feet of the white stuff may be a shock to Manitobans already adjusting to the sunny spring days, but Environment Canada meteorologist Justin Shaer said Sunday that the snow dump will be short-lived — and likely not so dramatic in the southern parts of the province.

Manitoba is currently caught between two low pressure systems, one sitting on the Saskatchewan border and the other moving west from northwest Ontario, Shaer explained. 

“This is the calm between the two storms,” said Shaer. “With this system coming across there could be some heavy snow coming.”

In the north, near Dauphin and Swan River, residents can expect up to 25 centimetres as the systems cross over the province. A little further south, including Winnipeg, is more uncertain, Shaer said. Meteorologists predict the wet weather will pick up throughout the day Monday, dropping up to 10 centimetres of snow by nightfall with another 10 cm expected through the night and into Tuesday morning.

For the agriculture industry, a spring wet weather event will revitalize soil that’s been drying out for many months, said Veldhuis, adding that the last measurable rainfall happened last July.

“We’ve been in a dry cycle really for a couple years where trees and crops have been relying on soil moisture — they’ve been taking up more moisture than they’ve been getting,” he said. “There’s really been no replenishment of moisture since last year’s growing season.”

Dry soil is a dangerous game as seeding season approaches, Veldhuis explained. Some farmers are hesitant to disturb the ground as they may risk seeds blowing away on the loose, dry earth.

“From a conservation perspective you could lose this year’s crop but you could also lose precious top soil,” Veldhuis said. 

Jake Ayre, vice-president of Keystone Agricultural Producers, who owns a farm just south of Brandon, said the dry weather has been unusual — but farmers are always prepared to adjust for the weather, and it’s too early to “make any rash decisions.”

“We’ve never lost a crop in April. It’s definitely dry but it’s too soon to call that,” he said.

Ayre, who farms primarily grains and oilseeds, said there’s a “night and day” difference between Spring 2020 and Spring 2021. While last year’s heavy fall snows left wet earth in the springtime, this year is marked by an unusual dryness. In both droughts and floods, Ayre said, farmers are used to making the most of whatever the season brings.

“In agriculture we’re always dependent on the weather. My father has always said to me ‘Jake, we’re three weeks away from a drought and three days away from a flood at any given time of the year,'” he said. “We’re professional gamblers a lot of the time.”

Ultimately Veldhuis said the wet weather, while unpleasant, will be to the benefit of all Manitobans. Healthier soil come planting season means more agriculture dollars in the Manitoba economy, he said.

“The news of really miserable, wet, really normal spring time weather is quite encouraging,” said Veldhuis. “Quite honestly I hope it’s everything they’re promising and more.” 

julia-simone.rutgers@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jsrutgers