“Welcome to agriculture and Mother Nature,” said Janice Boden, the M.D. of Bonnyville’s manager of agricultural services.
Boden was commenting on the dry conditions that have affected crops and pastures in the area, leading the M.D. to declare a state of agricultural disaster. Despite a promising spring, rainfall in the past few weeks has not been adequate for crop growth, and producers are facing the prospect of substantial losses.
The disaster declaration does not trigger eligibility for assistance programs, but it brings the situation to the attention of the provincial agriculture minister. Based on that information, the cabinet may declare a provincial state of disaster, which would make funds available to producers.
These funds could come in the form of tax deferrals, crop insurance payments, or direct disaster assistance.
The declaration “raises awareness and it brings it to the minister’s forefront,” Boden explained.
Commodity crops are affected by the drought, as are feed crops and grazing lands. Boden said some late rain would help with canola and might salvage some wheat, but there has already been extensive damage. With every day that passes without significant rainfall, the damage gets worse.
Cattle producers are facing the prospect of bringing in feed when they would normally have their animals grazing. At the same time they have not been able to grow enough of the feed that would sustain their herds over the winter.
With such expenses to consider, many ranchers will have to sell off cattle.
“I talked to a farmer and he said that one of his neighbours put their cattle into a summer pasture, and it’s brown,” Boden said. “Dust is coming up as they’re walking.”
Typically farmers can get two cuts of hay in a season. The first cut is in, and it’s yielding about half of normal. “It’s nothing. It’s just brown,” Boden said. “And there will be no second cut.”
The northern portion of the M.D. has been hit hardest by the lack of moisture. The disaster declaration was made July 23 before the actual criteria were met, based on precipitation forecasts. There has not been enough rain to change the crop conditions.
Cyprus County, Municipal District of Pincher Creek, Municipal District of Greenview, and the County of Grande Prairie had already declared states of municipal agricultural disaster.
“There are many farmers in our area that would say we are already in an agricultural state of disaster,” said M.D. of Bonnyville reeve Barry Kalinski at the time.
“Many farmers are having to feed extra because the pastures can’t sustain the cattle. We have farmers looking at selling animals because of it.”
