A new video by the Potato Growers of Alberta details how potato producers are protecting water resources while maintaining high crop quality.

The release of Potato Growers of Alberta’s new video about water conservation has proven timely, considering numerous Alberta municipalities have reported drought conditions or declared a state of agricultural emergency in recent weeks.

The Water Journey: From Mountains To Prairies was released earlier this month, on the heels of previous releases The Story of Us — Alberta Potato Growers and The Seed: How It All Begins.

As Greg Price reports for The Western Producer, Terence Hochstein, executive director of Potato Growers of Alberta said, “This is by far the most important one in our series. They all give very good information, but this one is critical. There is a misconception out there that agriculture wastes water, and they simply don’t.”

Several stakeholders are featured in the video, including Hochstein, Municipal District of Taber reeve Tamara Miyanaga, whose husband is a potato farmer, St. Mary Irrigation District’s David Westwood and Chris Perry of CKP Farms.

It showcases how irrigation powers the crucial southern Alberta ag corridor. Irrigators are using technology and techniques to use the least amount of water to achieve the crop they need to be successful in a growing season.

The water in the irrigation districts’ reservoirs benefits not only producers but also rural residents.

Source: The Western Producer
Image: Pivot-system technology continues to increase irrigation efficiency. Credit Erika Mathieu/ St. Mary River Irrigation District via The Western Producer
Video: Credit Potato Growers of Alberta