This has been a sad day for Southern Alberta as we have had our team out assessing the damage from last week’s hail storm. Many questions have arisen on a strategy to deal with the damaged crops. I have spent most of the morning trying to gain information on the way that nitrates will act in the damaged crops. The one conclusion that I have come up with is that there is no protocol on what will happen. The longer that the crop is left before it is baled for feed the greater the chance of the nitrate in the feed being lower. If the crop re-grows the new growth will have normal amounts of nutrients in the tissue. As we all know, if we want a good seed bed for next year we have to deal with the trash that is left on the fields. I would suggest harvesting the worst fields for livestock feed and would urge producers to have the feed tested before it is fed.

We share your feelings of loss as we see the damage to crops and buildings. If we can assist you in making further decisions please call one of our offices and we will have an appropriate member of our team give you a call.

Doug McRae