Snow, an excellent natural repellent, is essential to protect the soil in winter, only the mild periods that we know of contribute to soil melting and damage crops.
The snow insulates, but above all protects the plants. “It’s what kills harmful insects and harmful diseases,” said one farmer in an interview with TVA Nouvelles.
“In Quebec we are in a ‘sweet spot’ where we use less pesticides than in the United States because its climate is much warmer,” he explained.
He added that the government is investing in fall crops because they, too, “will protect the soil and prevent erosion. It keeps nutrients in the soil. It also keeps soil life going.
Snowmelt, on the other hand, leads to a worrying accumulation of water.
“If it starts to freeze again, we’ll end up with patches of ice that will stop the plant from breathing and will eventually suffocate it,” the farmer said.
Rising temperatures threaten some crops such as winter wheat, rye and all cow forages such as alfalfa and May hay.
“It’s not the first time we’ve had mild periods like this in December or January. In an ideal world we would have snow cover,” but according to Jérémy Letellier, President of the Union of Agricultural Producers of Montérégie, anything is still possible.
Rather, the next few months will be decisive for the future of cultivated plants.
According to Letellier, the key to success is preparation. Farmers have no choice but to adapt to climate change.
Some do this by investing more in drainage systems, backup plans, and winter shelters.