After a promising start to the growing season across Alberta, Mother Nature has decided to put agriculture to the test across the province.

that's according to Kevin Serfas, Chair of Alberta Canola.

The July 13th Alberta Agriculture crop report showed only 32 percent of the Alberta canola crop is rated good to excellent,

The remaining 70 percent is rated at fair to poor, with estimates placing a larger number at poor than fair.

Other broad acre field crops are in the same state.

Serfas says while crop insurance will be the primary risk management tool for grain and oilseed farmers, livestock producers are facing immediate feed and water shortages that are impacting animal health.

He says Alberta Canola, along with its Team Alberta colleagues, Alberta Pulse Growers and the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions met with the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Devin Dreeshen to discuss what the Government of Alberta could do.

A broader stakeholder meeting with Premier Kenney, Finance Minister Travis Toews, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Devin Dreeshen and Associate Minister of Rural Economic Development Nate Horner also took place to ensure the executive council is fully aware of the extent of the drought.

AFSC says drought impacted crops could be put to alternate uses, namely livestock feed.

Team Alberta urged AFSC to ramp up and expedite claims so growers can get them closed as soon as possible.