{"id":8775,"date":"2021-06-30T08:52:34","date_gmt":"2021-06-30T12:52:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp123416.wpdns.ca\/?p=8775"},"modified":"2026-04-17T14:27:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T18:27:14","slug":"donneesclimatiques-ca-au-service-de-lagriculture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/en\/donneesclimatiques-ca-au-service-de-lagriculture\/","title":{"rendered":"Climatedata.ca for agriculture"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-10172 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Octas_boutonFR-300x89.jpg\" alt=\"Purple and pink graphic badge featuring the DONNEESCLIMATIQUES.CA logo and the text: \"Finalist in the OCTAS 2021 competition\", with a stylized geometric pictogram evoking digital technology and innovation.\" width=\"300\" height=\"89\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Octas_boutonFR-300x89.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Octas_boutonFR-768x228.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Octas_boutonFR.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Climate change and its impact on agriculture<\/h2>\n<p>In a survey of the Canadian agricultural sector, 84% of respondents said that climate variability has had an impact on their business. Among the climatic factors affecting farming activities, extreme and unpredictable weather is the most cited. <\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8646 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/DC-Agri-1.png\" alt=\"Horizontal bar chart entitled \"Have your activities been impacted by Climate Variability? The graph shows different categories of climate-related impacts, including: extreme or unpredictable weather (highest bar), supply chain and quality predictability, seasonal changes, agricultural planning, drought or dry conditions, variable precipitation (too wet or too dry), new diseases or weeds, wet or flooded conditions, smoke from forest fires, cold or frosty conditions, and hot conditions. The horizontal axis shows the number of responses, illustrating the perceived extent of the impact of climate variability on activities.\" width=\"495\" height=\"294\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/DC-Agri-1.png 495w, https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/DC-Agri-1-300x178.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 495px) 100vw, 495px\" \/><\/p>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: center;\">Source: Ag Working Group &#8211; Outreach Survey Results<\/h6>\n<p>There are many climatic hazards that have an impact on the agricultural sector, including :<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Droughts, and the resulting lack of water supply, can wreak havoc on agriculture, particularly in terms of production, crop yields and harvests. Ten years ago, they caused a drop of almost $6 billion in Canadian GDP [1]. <\/li>\n<li>Early or late rains can make the ground too wet to support farm machinery, and hamper important sowing or harvesting phases, as well as the ripening of many crops [2].<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8634 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/DC-Image-logo-300x300-1-150x150.png\" alt=\"  Diamond-shaped geometric icon in shades of pink, purple and blue, with a stylized white maple leaf in the center. The pictogram evokes Canada, digital data and technological innovation.\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/DC-Image-logo-300x300-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/DC-Image-logo-300x300-1.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>The importance of data in understanding and reducing the impact of climate change<\/h2>\n<p>Data portals such as <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/Donneesclimatiques.ca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ClimateData.ca<\/a><\/span> provide information on the evolution of important climatic indices. The main reasons why farmers consult climate data sites are : <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Plan crop and site selection and investments according to changes in growing seasons<\/li>\n<li>Deploy beneficial management practices (BMPs) to reduce environmental risks, i.e. spraying, insect emergence, water management, economic impact analysis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h6><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8648 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/DC-agri-2.png\" alt=\"Horizontal bar chart entitled \"The reason for visiting the sites or consulting future climate data resources\". The graph shows the main reasons for consulting: planning (crop selection, investment, growing season changes) is the most frequently cited reason, followed by risk management and implementation of management practices (irrigation, water management, emerging economic impacts) and general awareness. Other reasons include research (modeling, development of best practices), accessible information for teaching and sharing, policy and market impacts, as well as historical weather information and extension work, mentioned less frequently.\" width=\"475\" height=\"329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/DC-agri-2.png 475w, https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/DC-agri-2-300x208.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 475px) 100vw, 475px\" \/><\/h6>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Source: Ag Working Group &#8211; Outreach Survey Results<\/span><\/h6>\n<p>Climatedata.ca provides agricultural professionals with indicators to help them assess the criticality of future situations and make the best decisions. In particular, it makes available minimum and maximum temperatures, precipitation amounts and any climate indicator based on one of these three variables. For example, the portal is useful for assessing changes in humidity levels, the maximum amount of precipitation per day and rainy days exceeding certain fixed thresholds (1 mm, 10 mm, and 20 mm).  <\/p>\n<h3>Example 1: Drought<\/h3>\n<p>Drought is a major issue for farmers. Some regions of Canada are more affected by prolonged periods of drought. These extreme events lead to significant crop losses and disrupt the sustainability of farming operations [3].  <\/p>\n<p>Donneesclimatiques.ca uses the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index, SPEI [4], to assess the risk of future droughts. According to Figure 1, the 2041-70 horizon shows negative values (coded in brown) and therefore a water deficit. An increase in drought is expected throughout the southern part of the country, particularly in the Prairies.  <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8650 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/DC-agri-3-C.png\" alt=\"  Two side-by-side maps of Canada illustrate spatialized climate data. The map on the left shows a more uniform distribution in pale green tones, while the map on the right shows more marked variations with a gradation from green to yellow and brown, indicating more pronounced regional differences. Each map has a vertical color legend on the right, and highlights the Canadian territory, including the North, the provinces and the Arctic regions, in the context of climate data analysis or comparison.\" width=\"533\" height=\"216\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/DC-agri-3-C.png 533w, https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/DC-agri-3-C-300x122.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/><\/p>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: center;\">Figure 1: Spatial diagram of future SPEI for an agricultural year (September to August), RCP8.5, median of 29 climate models. Left 1971-2000 horizon; right 2041-70 horizon. <\/h6>\n<p>Faced with a future increase in the duration and number of droughts, farmers will be called upon to adopt adaptation strategies, including better monitoring using the SPEI (figure 1).<\/p>\n<h3>Example 2: The growing season<\/h3>\n<p>Factors associated with climate change that affect forage crops include higher temperatures, rising CO2, reduced water availability and extreme weather events.<\/p>\n<p>Another factor that determines the shape of agriculture in a given region is the growing season (Bradshaw et al., 2004). The growing season is the length of time plants have to grow in a given year [5]. This increased sharply (by around two days per decade) from 1950 to 2010, and is likely to continue to rise steadily with climate change (see figure 2).  <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8652 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/DC-Agri-4.png\" alt=\"The \"Frost free season\" graph illustrates the evolution of the duration of the frost-free season from 1900 to 2100. The black curve represents modelled historical data, surrounded by a grey zone of uncertainty. Starting with recent years, several colored curves show future climate projections according to different scenarios (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5), each accompanied by colored areas indicating model uncertainty. The overall picture shows a general trend towards an increase in the duration of the frost-free season over time, particularly marked in the high-emissions scenarios.\" width=\"624\" height=\"312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/DC-Agri-4.png 624w, https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/DC-Agri-4-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/p>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: center;\">Figure 2: Evolution of growing season length in Killarney, Manitoba.<\/h6>\n<p>The longer the growing season, the greater the crop yield potential. However, if there is a drop in precipitation, this can cancel out the potential of a longer growing season. Even if there is an increase in precipitation during the growing season, higher temperatures can result in significant evapotranspiration [6], leading to drought conditions.  <\/p>\n<p>As with droughts, it would be useful for farmers to keep an eye on future growing seasons with the help of Climatedata.ca.<\/p>\n<h2>The benefits of ClimateData.ca<\/h2>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Farmers have to adapt all the time [7].<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>With the climate projections available on ClimateData.ca, farmers and other agricultural decision-makers will be better equipped to define adaptation strategies.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some examples of strategies:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Conventional plant breeding and biotechnology offer new botanical varieties that are more tolerant of drought or saline environments. In the same vein, growers are developing new seed varieties that produce high yields with low inputs (fertilizers, pesticides). <\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"9\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\">Diversification of forage crops (alfalfa, timothy) ensures year-round plant survival, even in cold, dry weather.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8656\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/pexels-pixabay-207247-1024x683-1.jpg\" alt=\"Green ears of wheat in a field, illuminated by the rising sun on the horizon.\" width=\"435\" height=\"290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/pexels-pixabay-207247-1024x683-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/pexels-pixabay-207247-1024x683-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/pexels-pixabay-207247-1024x683-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\">Farmers are also opting for a diversity of species rather than concentrating on monocultures, all to ensure better survival. Not all species are affected in the same way by drought or pests. <\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\">Finally, they may decide to increase their forage stock in good years to compensate for shortages in bad years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In short, Climatedata.ca is an easy-to-use, user-friendly tool that offers a glimpse into the future, generating climate projections up to the year 2100.<\/p>\n<p>By anticipating the future impacts of climate change more accurately, farmers will be able to make the best decisions to reduce the risks to their crops and land.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>[1] https:\/\/bit.ly\/3gSIZFq<\/p>\n<p>[2] https:\/\/atlasclimatique.ca\/agriculture<\/p>\n<p>[3] https:\/\/www.noscommunes.ca\/Content\/Committee\/421\/AGRI\/Reports\/RP9814809\/agrirp11\/agrirp11-f.pdf<\/p>\n<p>[4] The SPEI indicates the amount of moisture by combining projected changes in temperature and evapotranspiration.<\/p>\n<p>[5] https:\/\/www.rncan.gc.ca\/changements-climatiques\/impacts-adaptation\/changements-climatiques\/indicateurs-des-changements-fore\/saison-croissance\/18471<\/p>\n<p>[6] Soil water transfers to the atmosphere.<\/p>\n<p>[7] https:\/\/www.noscommunes.ca\/Content\/Committee\/421\/AGRI\/Reports\/RP9814809\/agrirp11\/agrirp11-f.pdf<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Climate change and its impact on agriculture In a survey of the Canadian agricultural sector, 84% of respondents said that climate variability has had an impact on their business. Among the climatic factors affecting farming activities, extreme and unpredictable weather is the most cited.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":9494,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[112],"tags":[598,126,257,125,86],"class_list":["post-8775","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-success-story","tag-agriculture-en-2","tag-climate-change","tag-climate-data","tag-collaboration-en","tag-precision-agriculture"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8775","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8775"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8775\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29496,"href":"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8775\/revisions\/29496"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8775"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8775"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crim.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8775"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}