Rain coming too little, too late for Sask. ranchers
When it comes to pasture land, Thursday night's rain was a case of too little, too late for producers – if it even reached their farmland.
Drought conditions had already stunted growth past the point of no return, and it has left many producers weighing some difficult options.
No rain fell on Scott Sigfusson’s ranch near Craik Thursday night. Drought conditions have already forced the sell off of half the 200 animal herd. Another 25 per cent could soon be gone.
“I don’t even know if a lot of rain right now would help our current situation grass wise. It might make for a little more fall grazing for us,” said Sigfusson.
An estimated 40 per cent of the Saskatchewan cattle herd is expected to go to market this fall, which could cause long-term problems for producers.
“That doesn’t just affect just this year. That affects long term down the road. That’s 40 per cent of the cows right now, but that’s 40 per cent of the calves for next year. In the cattle industry, it’s not just a one year, jump in and jump out. It probably takes us three to four years to get a cow herd built back up again,” said Sigfusson.
On Thursday, the federal government announced a one year tax deferral for ranchers forced to cut back their herds. Producers welcome the help, but the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) is concerned that the program only covers half the province.
“My farm is right on the border of two RMs, one that of included in the tax deferral program and one that isn’t and from what I see, there is no significant difference in how dry it is in one side of the RM or the other,” said Bill Prybylski, APAS vice-president.
Earlier in the week, the provincial government extended full crop insurance coverage to poor crops cut for cattle feed. Now, Minister of Agriculture David Marit says the province has formally requested the federal government implement an AgriRecovery response program to assist producers dealing with extreme conditions
APAS said improvements to the existing AgriStability program would be a good start.
“Take the compensation rate increase from 70 per cent to 80 per cent would certainly help a lot of producers,” said Prybylski.
Though help is on the way, Sigfusson said it’s still a battle against the conditions.
“It’s pretty scary. Grasshoppers are starting to get real bad right now. Anything that gets green, the hoppers are moving in. I don’t know where we are going to go from here, really.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.