Region’s crops devastated, ruined by drought conditions

By ALEX McCUAIG Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on July 17, 2021.

The latest bout of heat to beat up on the region’s agricultural producers may have turned from putting ranchers and farmers on the ropes to levelling a knockout punch to this year’s crops.

In a release Thursday evening, Agricultural Minister Devin Dreeshen stated the prairie provinces and Ontario are all pushing for the federal government to accelerate relief through the AgriRecovery program.

And to do so prior to an anticipated federal election expected to be called this summer.

“With a federal election looming, Alberta received verbal commitment from Ottawa that a joint AgriRecovery program will be initiated to support Prairie producers affected by drought conditions prior to an election,” read the statement from Dreeshen.

If that is going to happen, it needs to happen soon, said Nicole Neubauer of Neubauer farms, a mixed crop and ranching operation just outside Medicine Hat.

“I can’t get over the situation we find ourselves in,” said Neubauer. “It’s really bad out there … There is no way to sugar coat it.”

The situation has become such that some producers have turned to letting cattle into the parched crops, trying to get at least some value from devastated fields by converting them to pasture, she said.

It’s the result of several years of drought dating to 2017, said Neubauer, “and this year is the nail in the coffin.”

Government aid is not what farmers and ranchers get into the business for, but the current situation is dire.

“We farm to feed people,” stressed Neubauer, adding, “there is no way these programs will cover the costs.”

Farmers and ranchers in the Palliser Triangle are well adapted to dealing with prolonged drought conditions but, “there is nothing designed for this year.”

According to the province, Alberta crop adjusters have been instructed to provide early assessments of affected crops and hay fields to allow for alternative uses such as cattle feed.

The province has also initiated the Water Pumping Program to allow producers to access pumping equipment for emergency filling of dugouts for cattle.