â–º Listen Live

Drought 2021 is raising concerns for Ag producers

The Chair of Alberta Beef Producers is making a call for farmers and ranchers to lobby their municipalities to declare a state of agriculture emergency.

Melanie Wowk who runs about 300 head of cattle with her family at Beauvallon in the County of Two Hills says the declaration will raise the awareness for the government of Alberta as regards to the severity and just how widespread drought conditions are impacting producers.

“It will hopefully trigger the Province [to begin] agri-recovery which is funded partly by the Provincial government and partly by the Federal government. It is a program that allows producers to submit their expenses that are related to the drought, above and beyond what their normal expenses would be.”

Wowk says the other program that producers can access is Agri-Stability which they have to sign up for individually. That takes into account a five year average of their income.

Western Canada Drought Conditions, June 30. [Photo: Canadian Drought Monitor]
Drought conditions in western Canada are being experienced in varying levels of severity from Manitoba across southern Saskatchewan into Alberta and B.C.

The Lakelands and Lloydminster area are described as abnormally dry on the Canadian Drought Monitor website.

Wowk is also concerned that the excessively hot temperatures are affecting the development of crops. The hot conditions are ripe for grasshopper eggs to hatch. For cattle producers pastures have also dryed out. The availability of hay is also a concern and that raises questions about feed stocks into the Fall. They are encouraging crop producers who will be unable to salvage a lucrative harvest to turn it into cattle feed.

“We are trying to get those crop producers who have crop insurance into their AFSC office, where they can ask for a pre-harvest assessment and if it is deemed that the crop is no longer viable, they can cut it down and make silage or they can put cattle into those crops.”

With calves heading to feedlots in the Fall there is the concern over where feed will come from. The unfolding crisis will also have implications for consumers and the price of beef at the grocery. Wowk says producers will hope to make it through Winter to next Spring and hopefully have some rain then.

“We really need to keep our mother cow numbers up. Our national herd is shrinking in size. I believe that if producers liquidate, there is a good portion of them that will not come back.”

Wowk will be meeting in Calgary with Ag Minister Devin Dreeshen to impress upon him the urgency of the situation.

Gerry Lampow
Gerry Lampow
Gerry has lived in Lloydminster since winter 2010. That detail is important as coming from the Caribbean he did not see green grass until May. Now an Alberta/Western Canada resident, you would be hard-pressed to find a stronger proponent of Lloydminster than the news guy that appreciates a healthy dose of rock music and dress code leather. His mantra is focus on one thing and do it well.
- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Town of Wainwright has lowest cost of living in Alberta

Overall for 2024, on all items, Wainwright comes in at 92.5 meaning its about eight per cent cheaper to buy something in Wainwright compared to Edmonton. Lloydminster comes in at 94.6, meaning prices on average are about two per cent more expensive than Wainwright.

Road expansion for Cenovus Energy Hub begins July 15

If your regular commute takes you along 40 Avenue, from July 15 you will have to adjust that as Lloydminster road crews will lead road upgrades near the soon to be completed Cenovus Energy Hub.

Grace United cancels Sunday service following small fire

In the aftermath of the minor fire at Grace United Church, Lloydminster on Thursday July 3, Sunday service has been cancelled as the church deals with cleanup.

Lloydminster fire crews put out minor fire at Grace United Church

A minor fire at Grace United Church in downtown Lloydminster engaged the efforts of Lloydminster fire crews on Thursday, July 3.

Parade Marshals announced for Lloyd Ex

With the Lloyd Ex Fair celebrating 120 years, the prestigious role of the Parade Marshals to herald the start of the summer festival are Terence Bexson of Marshall and Lyle & Alison Lee of Lloydminster.
- Advertisement -