Province and feds team up to help farmers survive dry, hot summer
The province and federal government announced adjustments to crop insurance Thursday that will allow farmers to put more poor quality crops towards livestock feed in a bid to ease feed shortages for livestock during the drought.
That's in response to a significant deterioration in crops since mid-June, when dry, extremely hot conditions settled over the prairies. Conditions are not improving, and crops are expected to deteriorate further.
The adjustment encourages farmers to salvage their crops to use for livestock feed, rather than watching their fields deteriorate further.
Low Yield Allowance is a standard part of the production insurance program, and is meant for situations of extreme heat and severe drought.
Alberta is doubling the low yield threshold to allow for more cereal or pulse crops to be saved for livestock feed. For example, the barley crop threshold will be increased from 150 to 300 kg per acre.
“Alberta’s hardworking farmers and ranchers have been hit with dry conditions that threaten their livelihoods," said Alberta agriculture and forestry minister Devin Dreeshen in a release. "We will do everything we can to help Alberta’s agriculture industry make the best of a terrible situation. We’ve heard industry’s call for help, and this change will help farmers and ensure some good can come out of these crops.”
Under the federal-provincial cost-shared Canadian Agricultural Partnership, there are a number of business risk management programs available through Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) to help Alberta producers manage risks that threaten their farms, including crop insurance.
“We recognize that this year’s conditions have had a significant impact on our producers, "said Darryl Kay, the CEO of the Agricultural Financial Services Corporation."And we’ve been here to listen, take feedback, and mobilize our teams as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.