Alberta’s Agriculture Minister says ‘No doubt we’re in a drought’

Weeks of drought has decimated hay crops in Western Canada and dried up dugouts and many farmers are struggling to care for their livestock.

For many ranchers it has been the hardest summer in 50 years and the dry conditions have hindered hay production in many parts of the province.

Ranchers say they can buy hay but with the drought, prices are likely to be about five times higher than normal and most just can’t afford it.

On Thursday, the province announced that it would provide support to help out those who need it.

“It’s clear that many producers are facing challenges because of the dry conditions this year and that’s why we are finding common sense ways to help out farmers during these difficult times,” said Oneil Carlier, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. "Some of the crops barely reached past my ankle. No doubt we're in a drought situation."

• Alberta Hay and Pasture Directory

Government officials say Environment and Parks is working with municipalities to locate additional public lands for grazing and it will issue temporary grazing and haying permits in suitable areas.

“We are committed to supporting farmers during this challenging year. Identifying more access to vacant public land for grazing is a practical way to help out farmers who are struggling with the high cost of feeding their livestock,” said Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment and Parks.

The province says producers who need to sell livestock because of feed shortages can defer part of their 2015 sale proceeds of breeding livestock for one year to help offset the cost of refreshing that stock the next year.

Agriculture and Forestry’s Water Pumping Program provides pumps and pipes to help producers get water for dugouts and catch basins. The province says it will reduce rental fees by half to help ensure producers have resources to replenish supplies and water livestock.

Key Stats:

• In 2015, a record 78 per cent of seeded crop acres in the province were insured through Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) crop insurance. Producers insured 14.7 million crop acres, with $3.68 billion in coverage.
• Producers have insured 6.4 million pasture acres for $79.9 million in coverage, approximately 29 per cent of pasture acres in Alberta.
• To date, AFSC has paid out approximately $70 million in claims on more than 3,000 insurance policies. 
• For multi-peril crop insurance alone, AFSC estimates total claim payments to range from approximately $700 million to $900 million.
• Preliminary estimates are that crop yields for 2015 will be 25 to 30 per cent below the five-year average, varying from region to region.
• Approximately 32 per cent of canola acres and 28 of Hard Spring Wheat acres are rated as poor quality.

For more information and resources available to producers, click HERE.