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AAFC searching for agroclimate impact reporters

Sept. 15, 2016 - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is looking for interested individuals willing to spare 2-5 minutes per month filling out a survey on the agroclimatic conditions in their area to help inform the government about what is happening on-the-ground in agriculture across the country. Knowing the impact of weather provides important information that both levels of government need to make accurate assessments and policy/program decisions.

How Agroclimate Impact Reporter works
Most of the data and information that feed the agroclimate impact reporter (AIR) application are provided by more than 300 volunteer reporters. Each reporter completes a 2-5 minute online survey every month of the growing season, and can enter additional information between surveys. Maps of all the input received are compiled at the end of each month and made available online for all to view and use.

What's in it for producers?
The AIR initiative lets producers tell AAFC about the weather and its impact on their operations. This information supports programs and policy development, particularly financial risk management programs for producers. For example, information collected from the AIR network in 2011 helped inform AgriRecovery programs, which provided more than $300 million in direct assistance to producers as a result of flooding and excess moisture in the Prairie region.

Information from AIR is also used in the assessment of areas eligible for the Livestock Tax Deferral (LTD) provision, which compensates producers facing feed shortages resulting from drought or excess moisture. In 2015 or 2016, producers in all four western provinces received LTD payments.

Click here to learn more about the survey.

September 15, 2016  By Beef Farmers of Ontario