The severe dryness in certain areas of Alberta is presenting significant challenges for beef and crop producers. As a result, the provincial government has taken the first step towards potentially activating the AgriRecovery disaster relief framework.   According to RJ Sigurdson, the provincial agriculture and irrigation minister, Alberta officials recently wrote a letter to the federal government urging them to conduct an AgriRecovery assessment. The aim is to explore all possible options to provide the maximum relief to producers in the province. Due to the frequent implementation of AgriRecovery in recent years, federal assessors have become quite proficient in handling such situations, noted Francis Drouin, parliamentary secretary to federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau. He stressed the need for a swift response because he understands the urgency faced by struggling farmers.   RJ Sigurdson addressed the issue at the Alberta Beef Industry Stampede Summit in Calgary on July 10. The event brought together around 250 individuals, including federal and provincial politicians. Several counties in Alberta, such as Cypress, Foothills, Paintearth, Stettler, and Vulcan, have already declared agricultural disaster states due to the extremely hot and dry conditions that began unusually early in the spring. With months ahead that typically offer limited rainfall, the lack of precipitation is not only affecting crop production but also raising concerns among Alberta's beef producers due to a shortage of feed and damage to forage crops. Alberta is home to approximately 70 percent of Canada's national cattle herd. Brodie Haugan, chair of Alberta Beef Producers, expressed the challenges in determining the state of the province's cattle industry. "The situation on the land is incredibly varied, making it difficult to calculate," Haugan explained during the summit. He further emphasized how even a short drive of 30 to 40 miles could reveal significant changes in the circumstances. According to Haugan, while the dry conditions affected smaller areas compared to last few years, for some producers it’s their fourth year in a row facing severe drought which is why they have to take drastic actions like downsizing their herds. This year has witnessed an unusual occurrence of early and extensive wildfires triggered by drought and high temperatures. However, this has been followed by rainfall and flooding in certain regions. Haugan remarked that the challenges experienced by beef producers have been an ongoing discussion that continues to develop. Nathan Phinney, president of the Canadian Cattle Association, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the industry and policymakers in addressing the various challenges faced by beef producers. He mentioned that there have been discussions about the possibility of producers self-declaring their own disasters to highlight the fact that different operations can experience contrasting weather conditions. Phinney acknowledged that the problem of adverse conditions persists and is further exacerbated by consecutive years of such conditions. In response, Sigurdson, on behalf of the province, stated that they will wait for the results of the AgriRecovery assessment and assess the resources available to producers accordingly. Despite facing challenges such as drought in the past five years, ranchers have shown resilience and dedication in their work, according to Drouin in an interview at the Calgary Stampede on July 12. He commended them and assured that efforts will be made by his department to collaborate with the province for a prompt response. Sigurdson, provincial official, highlighted that the Agriculture Financial Service Corp. is actively developing risk management programs for farmers. He encouraged farmers to explore these programs, especially during difficult periods when adequate moisture is lacking. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of open conversations to ensure the provincial government is providing all possible assistance. Haugan recommended that operations utilizing crop or moisture deficiency insurance should heavily rely on the AFSC. He encouraged farmers to familiarize themselves with the program's intricacies to maximize its benefits. It is essential to promptly provide written-off crops for feeding purposes.