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Over time, some of the links will have lapsed, so we cannot guarantee they all work. Please note that you can download our Media Database (Excel Worksheet) which contains a full description of most articles and allows searching by subject, date, source, etc. We can also provide hard copies of some items. Please contact us for further information. Australia Scientist Warns Drought Could Blight 2003 Planet Ark | January 31, 2003 SYDNEY - Australia's 11-month drought might last through 2003, further devastating crops and livestock in one of the world's top farm trade nations, a leading climatologist warned yesterday. Drought Due To Warmer Tropical Oceans; Jet-Stream Shift May Have Caused 1998 To 2002 Dry Spell Nature Science | by Kendall Powell | January 31, 2003 The drought that gripped the United States, southern Europe and Southwest Asia between 1998 and 2002 was linked to ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific and Indian oceans, new research suggests1. Understanding the connection could help to forecast future dry spells The Perfect Ocean For Drought Science Magazine (Volume 299 Number 5607 pp. 691-694) | by Martin Hoerling and Arun Kumar | January 31, 2003 The 1998-2002 droughts spanning the United States, southern Europe, and Southwest Asia were linked through a common oceanic influence. Cold sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the eastern tropical Pacific and warm SSTs in the western tropical Pacific and Indian oceans were remarkably persistent during this period. Climate models show that the climate signals forced separately by these regions acted synergistically, each contributing to widespread mid-latitude drying: an ideal scenario for spatially expansive, synchronized drought. The warmth of the Indian and west Pacific oceans was unprecedented and consistent with greenhouse gas forcing. Some implications are drawn for future drought. Drought May Signal World Warming Trend Knight-Ridder Tribune | by Mike Toner | January 31, 2003 The devastating four-year drought that has gripped much of the United States, southern Europe, the Mediterranean, and central and southwest Asia for the last four years may be the harbinger of prolonged globe-spanning droughts in the future, scientists reported Thursday. Drought-Resistant GM Crops: A Promising Future SciDevNet | by Alessandro Pellegrineschi | January 30, 2003 The recent catastrophic crop failure in southern Africa due to drought has brought on famine conditions of epic proportions. It also raises the question: what could genetic modification (GM) technology offer to poor farmers working marginal lands vulnerable to drought, including many of those in sub-Saharan Africa? Devastating Drought Threatens Livelihood Of 300,000 N China Farmers Agence France Presse (AFP) | January 30, 2003 BEIJING - A devastating drought in a key drainage area of the Yellow River in northern China has left 300,000 stricken farmers in desperate need of water to irrigate their arid land, state press said Thursday. Hutterite Colony Gives Up The Record (Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo) (p.A3) | January 30, 2003 They've survived four tornadoes over the years. Crops have been hailed out twice. But the drought of the last three years is something one Hutterite colony couldn't beat. During that time, the thin, sandy soil hasn't produced a single crop. The religious sect's Hardisty colony in east-central Alberta went into receivership in November with a $1.2-million debt. By tomorrow, all the colony's 27 members will have moved away. There's room for eight Holsteins in the milking room, but with only two borrowed cows, the concrete block building feels sadly abandoned. Irrigation Water At 25-Year Low In Las Cruces, N.M, Area Knight-Ridder Tribune | by Marvin Tessneer | January 30, 2003 Reacting to reports of a lower-than-average snowpack this winter, the Elephant Butte Irrigation District Board of Directors voted Tuesday to open the 2003 irrigation season with an initial release of 3 inches an acre-foot, the lowest amount in 25 years. Drought Defeats Hutterites: Dry, Sandy Soil Forces Hardisty Colony To Declare Bankruptcy, Shut Down The Edmonton Journal (p.A1) | by Jeff Holubitsky | January 29, 2003 HARDISTY - There's room for eight Holsteins in the milking room at the Hardisty Hutterite colony, but with only two borrowed cows, the concrete block building feels sadly abandoned. New, Salt-Tolerant Plants Developed ARS News Service | January 29, 2003 Two new lines of salt-tolerant plants, boasting genes from wheat and a wild relative called wheatgrass, may someday prove to be a boon for wheat growers. Salt tolerance in plants is a prized trait, according to Agricultural Research Service research geneticist Richard R.-C. Wang. He developed the new plants, known simply as W4909 and W4910, at ARS' Forage and Range Research Laboratory in Logan, Utah. UN: Food Crisis Worsens Amid African Drought AgWeb.com | by Julianne Johnston | January 28, 2003 The United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP) today launched an appeal to international donors to provide emergency relief food to five countries in western Sahel, where hundreds of thousands of people are threatened with starvation. Arizona Awakens To Drought As Lakes Shrink And Harm Spreads New York Times | January 27, 2003 Persistent drought in rural Arizona and large parts of most other Western States bears down on Phoenix and Tucson, state's largest population centers, and may end cities' days of unbridled growth; Roosevelt Lake, largest of six reservoirs supplying water to Phoenix, is only 13 percent full; drought has done most damage in sparsely populated areas, which have no access to large reservoirs or water from Colorado River and are slowly drying up; has raised fears in state's major cities, where 80 percent of population lives, that situation could worsen economic downturn and bring mandatory restrictions, which other Western cities have already imposed; state, one of fastest growing in nation, has been slow to limit water use or to impose restrictions; maps; photos (M) The weather was mostly sunny and pleasant across much of Arizona today, just as it has been for the better part of eight years. That is not such a good thing. Ontario Veggie Growers Are California-Bound Ontario Farmer | January 27, 2003 Irrigation in Ontario’s processing vegetable acreage is increasing. Close to a $1 million in Healthy Futures funding for drip irrigation projects already have been allocated. That’s half of the total fund, according to John Mumford, executive director of the Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers Marketing Board (OPVGMB). Drought Threatens Food Production: Irrigated Farms Feel The Pinch Of Dry Summers The Calgary Herald (p.D3) | by Michelle Lang | January 24, 2003 Laurry Orr would love to grow his irrigated hay farm and cattle ranch near Fort Macleod. But a lack of water in the St. Mary, Waterton and Belly River basins could prevent Orr and every other farmer in the region from expanding their irrigated farms. High Carbon Dioxide Levels Cause Stress in Barley ARS News Service | January 23, 2003 Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have been rising steadily, and this elevated carbon dioxide can cause some plants to grow more rapidly. However, increased carbon dioxide can also have undesirable effects. For example, high carbon dioxide can worsen the adverse effects of high light intensity. Inflation In Safety Zone Despite Food Price Jumps Sydney Morning Herald | January 23, 2003 The drought has added to household shopping bills across the country, with new inflation figures revealing a jump in food prices caused by lack of rain. Senate-Drought Associated Press | January 23, 2003 WASHINGTON - The Senate has approved a $3.1 billion farm package that was revamped to target growers living in counties declared disaster areas over the past two years. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., rewrote the proposal after farm groups and Democrats complained it allowed all farmers to sign up, including those who didn't lose livestock and crops to drought or heavy rain. Global Warming Inevitable: Expert Western Producer | by D'Arce McMillan | January 23, 2003 BRANDON — Global warming is a complex, little understood phenomenon that will proceed whether humans cut their carbon dioxide production or not, says a professor of agrometeorology at the University of Manitoba. But Paul Bullock told farmers at Manitoba Ag Daze in Brandon that he has nothing against Canada's decision to implement the Kyoto Protocol and its commitment to cut greenhouse gas production. Swine Sector Targets Emissions Strategies For Post-Kyoto World Banff Pork Seminar | January 22, 2003 Banff, Alta. - Kyoto is coming, the swine industry must grapple with it and the sector is already taking steps to meet the challenges of a post-Kyoto world - that was the bottom line message delivered to approximately 800 swine industry leaders at the Banff Pork Seminar, held January 14-17. Low Water Levels Affect Grain Shipments In Illinois Knight-Ridder Tribune | by Steve Tarter | January 21, 2003 PEORIA, Ill. - Low water levels on the Mississippi River, a byproduct of lingering drought conditions in the west, could adversely affect grain shipments on the Illinois River, corn growers say. Parched Earth Associated Press | by Joydeep Ray | January 20, 2003 GARUD SHAMLAJI, India - Jeeva Bhill remembers his neighbors' excitement as they rushed outside six months ago when rain fell on their parched land. "But after a few drops that night, from the next morning there was no rain at all," says Bhill, who is among hordes of Indians who've been forced by a severe drought to abandon their farms and go look for work. Of the 14,000 people in his village, Poshina, all but a few hundred have left. Drought Aid Comes In A Mere Dribble The Age | by Darren Gray | January 17, 2003 Canberra - Emergency income assistance from the Federal Government's latest drought initiative is only trickling through to drought-stricken farmers. The government has pledged interest rate subsidies to help farmers replant once the drought breaks, to buy new animals and keep key breeding herds intact. Drought-Cattle Associated Press | by Judith Kohler | January 17, 2003 DENVER - As he waited to lead three black, shiny gelbvieh steers into a sale barn, Glen Stevens said what may be the mantra of this year's National Western Stock Show: If it just rains or snows, it will be OK. Time For Specifics On Kyoto: CFA Western Producer | by Barry Wilson | January 16, 2003 Now that the political commitment has been made by Parliament to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, the federal government must start to fill in the blanks for farmers on how it will affect them, says a leading Ontario farm politician. Forecasters Warn El Nino Bringing Drought To Vietnam Agence France Presse (AFP) | January 16, 2003 HANOI - El Nino is likely to exacerbate what could be a severe drought in Vietnam's impoverished Central Highlands over the next few months, meteorologists warned Thursday. Global Warming Aggravates Australia Drought - Study Planet Ark | January 15, 2003 SYDNEY - Global warming and the pollution believed to lie behind it are key reasons for the severity of Australia's drought, an ominous sign for the future of the food-producing nation, a study published yesterday said. More Downgrades For Aussie Wheat Harvest As Drought Impact Deepens Agence France Presse (AFP) | January 13, 2003 SYDNEY - Australia's main wheat exporter, AWB Ltd., said Monday the full impact of the worst drought in a century was becoming evident, forcing it to downgrade its estimate for this year's wheat crop. Drought Proves Damaging To Apple Orchards In Nelson County, V.A. Knight-Ridder Tribune | by Rachel Clarke | January 12, 2003 LOVINGSTON, Va. - This year's drought proved damaging to farmers across Virginia -- and in Nelson County, the 1,000 acres of apple orchards were especially hit hard. A late freeze back in the spring, in addition to the summer's drought, caused significant damage to this year's apple crop, said Spencer Neale, a senior assistant director at the Virginia Farm Bureau. Drought Conditions Further Research Into Berry Farming Central Alberta Adviser (p.B4) | January 11, 2003 Last year's drought in Central Alberta helped further research necessary for expansion of the commercial black currant crop in the province. Approximately 350 to 400 acres of commercial black currants have already been established in Alberta, concentrated in the Red Deer, Fort MacLeod, Lethbridge and Taber areas. Black currants are an enriched source of vitamin C and can be eaten fresh or processed into juice, jam, wine or syrup. Their extreme cold hardiness makes them perfectly adaptable for large-scale production in Central Alberta, say Alberta agriculture officials. The Alberta Crop Industry Development Fund (ACIDF) is supporting a project on Integrated Crop Management of Black Currants in Alberta to promote expansion of this crop. In a survey of currant orchards in the summer of 2002, Alberta Agriculture, entomologists and researchers found that rust was epidemic in all black currant orchards surveyed in Southern Alberta due to the prevailing cool, wet weather. Many growers experienced rust infection for the first time on their third-year crops, said researcher Dr. Ron Howard. Rust infections first appeared in early August, and by mid-September, he said the lower leaves of susceptible plants were entirely covered with pustules, causing early defoliation. "The disease situation in Central Alberta was quite different -- no rust or powdery mildew were observed, but root rot caused up to 30 per cent mortality in several first-year orchards, and stem canker was observed in one orchard. Root rot also occurred in one black currant orchard near Lethbridge." The research will be used to help potential berry growers choose suitable cultivars and fungicides. Farm Trade Dries Up In Drought The Age | by Josh Gordon | January 11, 2003 Australia's crippling drought has led to a dramatic fall in farm exports, triggering the biggest monthly trade deficit in more than two years. Small Crop Squeezes Checkoff Western Producer | by Adrian Ewins | January 10, 2003 The Western Grains Research Foundation will have to draw on its savings account to pay for wheat and barley plant breeding projects during the next two years. Season's Rain, Cold Put Big Chill On Tampa, Fla.-Area Strawberry Crop Knight-Ridder Tribune | by Yvette C. Hammett | January 10, 2003 PLANT CITY, Fla. - Heavy winter rain and frosty weather could spell trouble for one of the region's most lucrative crops. Prairie Farmers Hoping For Wet Winter CBC News | January 10, 2003 RED DEER, ALTA. - It's been a warm, dry winter on the Prairies so far, and that's bad news for ranchers and farmers hoping for relief from ongoing drought. Farmers Fear Mild Winter Could Mean Drought By Spring CBC News | January 10, 2003 RED DEER, ALTA. - The warm and dry winter weather on the Prairies has farmers concerned about another year of drought. El Nino Effects May Continue Through Spring Associated Press | January 10, 2003 The El Niņo that has been driving storms into California, helping ease the drought in the Southeast and keeping weather dry in other areas is expected to persist through spring. El Nino May Be Good For Farmers, Expert Says The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) (p.C1) | by Murray Lyons | January 9, 2003 More and more it appears the moisture deficit in Alberta and western Saskatchewan may depend on how much rain falls this spring. Environment Canada specialist Bob Cormier, talking to canola producers at Crop Production Days Wednesday in Saskatoon, says this winter's El Nino effect will likely carry over into the spring. Third Drought Could Be Deadly: Mild Winter Has Farmers Worried For Their Futures The Calgary Herald (p.D1) | by Michelle Lang | January 8, 2003 The looming possibility of another devastating drought this summer has put Prairie farming at a critical juncture, says the president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. A Severe Drought, Frost, Grasshoppers And A Wet Harvest Are Taking A Toll On The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation Broadcast News | January 8, 2003 REGINA - A severe drought, frost, grasshoppers and a wet harvest are taking a toll on the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation. General Manager Doug Matthies says 825 (m) million dollars has already been paid out. He says that's almost double the previous record of 466 (m) million dollars that was shelled out in 1988, the year of the last major drought in the province. Imported Grain Arrives To Feed Drought-Starved Aussie Livestock Agence France Presse (AFP) | January 8, 2003 SYDNEY - Australia, one of the world's top grain exporters, bowed to the elements Wednesday and received its first bulk import of feed grain since 1995 so drought-stricken farmers could feed their livestock, officials said. The Grains Council of Australia said the 50,000 tonnes of US-grown maize -- which includes genetically modified grain -- would be used to manufacture feed for chickens as the drought bites harder into the country's agricultural industry. "We're an export nation and it's not until there's a drought year that there are shortages," said council executive director Jock Kreitals. Grasshopper Infestation To Worsen In 2003 CBC News | January 7, 2003 REGINA - Farmers in Saskatchewan are expecting the province's grasshopper infestation will intensify this year. Grasshoppers swelled in numbers and ate their way through many drought-stricken Prairie crops last year. Chinook Stirs Up Fears Of Third Year Of Prairie Drought The Globe and Mail (p.A7) | by Dawn Walton | January 7, 2003 CALGARY - A January chinook that pushed the mercury to a record-breaking high of 16.3 in Calgary yesterday normally would be a welcome break from winter, but here, as in many parts of the prairies, this has barely been a winter. Bizarre Weather Ravages Africans' Crops: Some See Link To Worldwide Warming Trend Washington Post (p.A01) | by Michael Grunwald | January 7, 2003 THABA-TSEKA, Lesotho - The crops here in the rugged mountains of Lesotho are failing because the rain came much too early. And much too late. For Farmers To Bulk Up Their Cattle Means Vaccinations Had To Be Delayed In Alberta And Saskatchewan The Vancouver Sun (p.B2) | by Pamela Fayerman | January 6, 2003 The worst prairie drought in decades has delayed results of a $400,000 vaccine trial triggered by a discovery by University of B.C. professor Brett Finlay that could ensure more safety in the food supply. Warming Planet Shifts Life North And Early: Huge Studies Analyse Climate Change's Toll On Plants And Animals Across Globe. Nature Science | January 6, 2003 Two massive studies have charted the impact of an average rise in global temperature of 0.6 ēC in the last 100 years on plants and animals around the world. Canadian Farmers Forced To Cut Foreign Aid CBC News | January 5, 2003 WINNIPEG - Many Prairie farmers who normally donate some of their grain to developing countries say they've been hurt too hard by drought to give much, if anything, this year. August Was All About Drought Brockville Recorder and Times (p.15) | by Megan Gillis | January 3, 2003 The region experienced the driest July in three decades and the most parched August in a quarter century as temperatures soared more than two degrees above the normal average. Prairies Adapt To Weather Changes The Windsor Star (p.C5) | January 2, 2003 Lee Erickson is barely finished dealing with last year's drought, but the Alberta farmer is already planning for next year's. Global Warming-Species Associated Press | January 2, 2003 Two studies were cited as concluding that rising global temperatures that have lured plants into early bloom and birds to nest earlier in the spring are altering the ranges and behavior of hundreds of plant and animal species worldwide. The authors were cited as saying in the studies, which appear in Thursday's issue of the journal Nature, that from North America's marmots to Britain's birds, the findings could spell bad news for species already stressed by habitat loss if predictions of global warming over the next century pan out. Other scientists said the studies, which are based largely on research done previously in Europe and North America, could foretell the extinction of many species in the coming decades as rising temperatures force them to retreat from their historic ranges or face new competitors. Drought Increases Cattle Exports To The U.S. The Leader-Post (Regina) (p.B6) | by Angela Hall | January 2, 2003 The number of Saskatchewan feeder cattle exported to the U.S. in 2002 increased by more than 400 per cent, a drastic rise driven by the drought. It's Beginning To Look A Little Brighter The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) (p.D1) | by Kevin Hursh | January 2, 2003 We have snow cover. And with the exception of the northwestern grainbelt, there's soil moisture from fall rains. Top 10 Weather Stories Of 2002 Colborne Chronicle (p.8) | by Dave Phillips | January 2, 2003 Last year's droughts wreaked havoc in Canada, costing our economy billions of dollars. But just when we thought it couldn't get worse, it did! This year, more drought - combined at times with floods, freezing, heat, disease and pests - made 2002 even worse, surpassing drought conditions from the infamous 1930s dust bowl. Western producers feared the worst and then had to face it, as fellow Canadians shook their collective heads. Without a doubt, weather woes in the Prairies came up as this year's number one weather story. New Research Backs Fears Of Global Warming: Spring Coming Earlier, Wildlife Shifting Northward National Post (p.A12) | January 2, 2003 Rick Callahan Earth's average temperature climbed only about half a degree in the past century. "These papers are the conclusive evidence that the natural world is already responding in a big way to climate change, even though that change has only just got going and there is a lot more to come," Mr. Fitter said. A United Nations panel has predicted average global temperatures could rise as much as six degrees over the next century as heat-trapping gases from human industry accumulate in the atmosphere. Working independently, two research teams reviewed hundreds of published papers that tracked changes in the range and behaviour of plant and animal species believed caused by human-driven global warming. Both teams concluded they had found the "fingerprint" of global warming on hundreds of species, from insects to birds and mammals, even after taking into account other possible causes such as habitat loss. Rain Brings Bright Start To 2003 Nine MSN | January 1, 2003 Good rains across parched areas of NSW and Victoria in the past day and a half have given many drought-affected farmers a bright start to 2003. |
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