CLC Hosts Crop Talk 2026 with Key Insights from Drew Lerner

The Conservation Learning Centre (CLC) near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, recently hosted its annual Crop Talk event, drawing significant attention from local farmers. As the spring seeding season approaches, the event featured expert insights on weather trends and agricultural practices. Notably, the keynote speaker, Drew Lerner, president and senior Agricultural Meteorologist at World Weather Inc., provided crucial information on upcoming weather patterns that could impact the growing season.

Robin Lokken, General Manager at the CLC, noted a remarkable increase in attendance this year, with registrations rising from around 40 participants in previous years to approximately 90. “To have Drew join us definitely was a big draw for our event,” Lokken stated. The event not only included Lerner’s presentation but also featured discussions on weed management by Dr. Shaun Sharpe and updates on CLC projects, including a demonstration on flax and winter cereals.

During his presentation, Lerner addressed the complexities of weather forecasting for the upcoming season. He highlighted the challenges posed by current La Niña conditions, which might transition to El Niño mid-growing season. This year’s unique weather dynamics, including lingering drought conditions across North America, have created conflicting models that complicate predictions.

“It’s very frustrating because with all these different influences, they don’t agree,” Lerner explained. He emphasized the art of melding various weather patterns to form a coherent forecast, a task that has become increasingly difficult this year.

For Saskatchewan, prospects appear favorable for a strong growing season, particularly in northern regions. Lerner noted a high-pressure ridge extending from the west coast of North America to the Arctic, suggesting that cold air will likely descend into the southern areas. He warned, however, that farmers should exercise caution regarding early fieldwork due to potential frost risks.

“If I had to put money on this scenario, I would keep most of the threatening cold in Ontario and across the Great Lakes,” he advised. “But my biggest word of caution would be not to get too far ahead of the normal ‘last frost freeze’ dates.”

In addition to weather forecasts, participants gained insights into pest management strategies. Allie Noble shared information on pests to monitor, including the Bertha armyworm, which is on the rise. She encouraged attendees to engage in tracking efforts by providing traps for monitoring pest populations.

Overall, Crop Talk 2026 successfully fostered an environment for knowledge exchange among local farmers, equipping them with vital information as they prepare for the planting season. As conditions improve in many regions of Saskatchewan, the insights gained from this event will be instrumental in guiding farmers through the challenges ahead.