Cattle farmers in the Rainy River district are facing a crisis situation.
The lack of any significant rainfall is leaving their hayfields bone dry.
There’s also a shortage of feed because of similar conditions elsewhere in Canada.
Kim Jo-Bliss, who has about 100 head of cattle, says it’s something the district hasn’t seen in a very long time.
“Guys are already getting rid of cattle. There’s not very much hay. We’re talking fifty to seventy-five per cent yield of normal, whatever that may be. And the pastures, if you think that we’re out of hay, it’s more critical with pastures,” says Bliss.
Some farmers are reporting getting less than one large round bale of hay per acre of land. They usually see two to three bales. In good years, the yield can reach as high as eight to nine bales.
Bliss says many are having to use whatever hay they do have to keep their animals feed.
“Most people don’t start feeding hay until the end of October or early November. So we’re months ahead of that, and we’re already short of feed. So yeah, it’s very serious.”
Bliss says area municipalities have been asked to support states of agricultural emergency, hoping it leads to some form of support from senior levels of government.
Chapple township council approved yesterday such a resolution.
Bliss has also reached out to MPP Greg Rickford and MP Marcus Powlowski to see what help could be made available.
Farmers last went through drought-like conditions in 2006.
They were able to get hay trucked from other areas.
Bliss says that may not be an option this year because those farmers are facing similar conditions.
