Alberta farmers are bracing for financial losses due to poor weather conditions, which continue to delay harvest. Environment Canada has warned that there will be freezing rain and snow across the province over the weekend

“Farming across much of Alberta has been absolutely halted to zero because of last week’s snowfall,” said Humphrey Banack, vice-president of the Alberta Federation of Agriculture.

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His 7,000-acre farm in central Alberta, about 30 kilometres north of Camrose, grows wheat, canola and barley. The fields are 70 per cent harvested, he said, adding that most farmers he has spoken to are in the same situation of significant delay.

“About 30 per cent or 35 per cent (of the crop) is left in the field, but there are areas with substantially higher numbers than that.”

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement Thursday for Edmonton and the surrounding area, with two to five centimetres of snow expected in areas north of the city. A second weather system on Friday is expected to move eastward from British Columbia, bringing five to 15 centimetres of heavy snow north of Edmonton to Cold Lake. Freezing rain is expected around Rocky Mountain House and Airdrie, moving northeast toward Lloydminster and Coronation.

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More precipitation is bad news for farmers, Banack said. “Another snowfall will take another week out of the time frame to get our crops in the bin.”

The cold and damp weather has also reduced the quality of the crop, so Banack said the harvested wheat will likely be downgraded to animal feed from milling quality and sold for less.

Banack is predicting $2 million in sales, which doesn’t account for the cost of production. He said he’s expecting to incur $100,000 in losses, but that number could reach $750,000 if there’s more rain and snow.

“If your farm and operation happen to be under a spot that collected every shower … you’re in a situation where you can’t get anything done,” he said. “Every producer I’ve talked to in the area … not many of them are past us.

“It’s at an absolute standstill.”

He said farmers will be depending on crop insurance across the province.

“We’re making plans and stuff to move forward,” he said. “Renting more equipment, hiring more people … we are getting prepared if there is an opening.”

“Most farmers are doing exactly the same thing.”