The Department of Agriculture says longer frost-free seasons due to climate change would generally benefit Canadian farmers, a revelation opposite to the climate alarmist agenda.
The analysis contradicts public opinion surveys showing climate alarmists fear looming food shortages, per Blacklock’s Reporter.
“Acknowledging that a range of future scenarios is possible, the projections shown here are the most likely climate outcomes assuming high greenhouse gas emissions,” the department wrote in a series of Climate Change Profile reports.
Researchers acknowledged farmers may see more extreme storms and “new pests, pathogens and disease” with warmer winters, but predicted net benefits in many provinces.
In the Pacific Coast lower mainland, “Temperature increases would add more frost-free and growing degree days that could improve yields and cropping options and enable new practices.”
The British Columbia interior should expect “more extreme heat in summer and sudden cold events in winter,” said analysts.
In Alberta’s Peace River lowlands, “Temperature increases may lengthen the frost-free season,” wrote the department.
“Increased forage production, crop yields and crop diversification may be possible with the warmer temperatures. A longer growing season could extend the grazing season for livestock, resulting in less winter feeding. A warmer climate may increase honeybee activity but could also increase honeybee pests, e.g. mites.”
In the Northwest Prairies, “Temperature increases may result in earlier growing seasons offset by moisture deficits later in the summer.”
In the Southwest Prairies, a “longer growing season would expand cropping options, e.g. fall crops or double cropping.” However the drought-prone South Central Prairies were at increased risk of drought and grassfires with “potential decreased forage production,” said the report.
In Southwest Ontario, “Temperature increases may extend the growing season which could improve crop yields and support more intensive agricultural practices,” wrote the department.
In the St. John River Valley, “Increased summer temperatures are expected, providing possible new crop and market opportunities.”
The report for Prince Edward Island predicted: “Summer and fall temperatures are expected to increase, providing opportunities for heat-loving crops while stressing heat-sensitive crops. More precipitation in the spring and fall could hamper harvesting and planting and decrease crop yields.”
The latest forecasts echoed a 2012 department report Crop Sector Foresight that predicted climate change would bring net benefit for Canadian agriculture.
“A longer growing season coupled with shorter-season varieties will allow expansion of production of crops such as corn and soybeans in Western Canada,” it said.
The farm forecasts contradict findings of in-house Privy Council focus groups that many Canadians feared climate change would result in food shortages.
“A number worried that more unpredictable weather patterns and extreme temperatures could ultimately result in the destabilization of food production in Canada, leading to food shortages in the decades to come,” said a 2024 report.
“A small number were less concerned, believing that while Earth’s weather patterns were likely changing to some degree this was part of a natural cycle rather than the result of human activity.”
Canada has been self-sufficient in food production since 1867. It is currently the world’s eight largest exporter of farm, fish and seafood products.
