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
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.