Weathering the Canadian Prairie Storm: Tips on How to Keep Your Farm Secure in the Event of Natural Disasters

As a team based in the prairies, we understand better than anyone that the prairie landscape in Canada is extensive. The environment, while full of life, faces changing conditions like blizzards, drought, storms, floods, and hail. The Canadian Prairies are a natural wonder where vastness and mighty nature go side-by-side. Extending across a wide area, this place has eye-capturing sceneries and fertile grounds. Given the uncompromising harshness of prairie weather, every farmer should be prepared for Mother Nature to strike. Yet, despite the hopeful prospects and promises of great crop yields, we know that prairie soil is vulnerable to natural disasters. These events can wreak havoc, causing serious damage and leading to the loss of livestock and crops. Here are our tips on how to keep your farm secure in the event of natural disasters! 

The Devastating Effects of Harsh Weather within the Prairies

Nature's Wrath: Thunderstorms

Prairie storms embody nature's fury and are capable of destroying everything in their path with zero mercy or reason. A storm's rumble and a tornado’s spiral can be threatening to farmers and their crops. Being as proactive as possible, not only with the crops but also your farm property, is one of the best ways you can protect your farm’s assets.

The Threat of Drought

Storms might grab all the headlines and media attention, but it's droughts that can sneak up on us, leaving the ground and our spirits dry and cracked. A long time without water and the thirsty soil can't grow plants or keep water reserves, leading to big problems. Due to the sun's unforgiving rays, crops stop growing, causing harvests to shrink and throwing off the whole balance of farming. 

What About Flooding?

The Prairies experience the opposite of drought when flooding submerges them with water, but the effects can be just as devastating. When rain and snow melt, water levels rise and the rivers overflow their banks, flooding fields and washing away the soil. In its aftermath, floods leave a path of destruction, drowning crops, infrastructure, and hope under a surge of water and debris, putting farmers and communities to the test. 

More Ethylene, More Yield 

Realizing the Potential of Weather Predictions for Security

In the midst of changing weather patterns, knowledge is the name of the game. By using the latest science, farmers are able to get weather forecasts and alerts just in time before a storm or drought happens. Equipped with this data, you can take preventive measures to protect your farm and potentially minimize the damage. 

The Role of Crop Diversity in Preserving Species

Mono-crop farming shows just how fragile crops can be due to the unpredictability of the elements. By mixing things up through the adoption of crop diversity, farmers can craft a safety net against the uncertainties of weather. Storms, droughts, and floods won't destroy your crop yield when you have a diversified crop portfolio with lots of species with different growth cycles and resistance profiles. This approach not only builds resilience but also supports sustainable farming practices, too! 

Building Soil Resiliency

Soil health is basically the backbone of any resilient farm. Think of it as the foundation holding up the entire agricultural ecosystem. Techniques such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and conservation tillage help to strengthen the soil structure, improve water retention capacity, and optimize nutrient cycling. Investing in your soil isn't just about getting more crops; it's about fortifying your farm to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at it... and she’s got a good arm. 

Improving Farm Infrastructure to Prevent Threats

Infrastructure is the fortress against nature's aggression, a shield that protects fields and farm livelihoods. Reinforcing barns, silos, and storage facilities is a way to increase the resilience of facilities against storms and floods, protecting livestock and equipment from the fury of nature. Also, building proper drainage systems and stronger levees can allow you to control excess water and prevent flooding to preserve your land. 

Insure Your Farm In Case of Natural Disasters

Taking proactive steps like maintaining infrastructure to prevent losses, setting up emergency procedures, and keeping an eye on weather patterns are some of the best ways to protect your farm from natural disasters. But not all things are 100% preventable, and we all know that the weather can’t always be accurately predicted. The most important thing you can do to lessen the financial dangers linked to natural disasters is to buy the proper type of farm insurance policy. Commercial farm insurance, like the Farm Business Box from Sandbox Mutual Insurance, includes coverage for things like property damage due to weather, farm inputs and outputs, and equipment breakdowns. Crop insurance is a separate coverage that is vital to protect against whatever crops may face while they’re in the ground, including losses due to poor weather. Talk to a Sandbox Mutual Insurance broker near you about coverage options in the FarmSecure line and other additional needs you have as a farmer.

Please note that the information in this article may not accurately reflect your insurance policy from Sandbox Mutual Insurance or another insurance company. Please refer to your policy or talk to your broker about your specific coverages.