‘Nothing grew’: 4 southwest Sask. municipalities declare states of emergency due to drought
Several rural municipalities (RMs) in southwest Saskatchewan have recently declared states of emergency due to an ongoing drought. The RMs of Maple Creek, Fox Valley, Enterprise, and Waverly have all expressed concerns about the lack of moisture posing a high fire risk and the difficulties many farmers are facing in producing feed for their livestock.
Corinne Gibson, who co-owns Six Mile Ranch near Fir Mountain with her husband Clayton, described this year’s drought as the worst they have experienced in their 33 years of farming. By early May, it was evident that their 4,500-hectare ranch was in trouble due to the lack of moisture. Despite seeding their crops over the May-long weekend, the crops struggled to grow beyond six to eight inches tall.
Typically, the Gibsons would produce four to five hundred bales of hay to feed their cattle over the winter. However, this year, they have been unable to produce any hay, forcing them to purchase additional feed from other farms. The financial strain of having to purchase feed is significant, with estimates reaching close to $1 million to replace what they would normally produce themselves.
With only two instances of rain this season, the Gibsons have had to take drastic measures to feed their livestock. They have transported around 200 cattle to a farm in Weyburn where more grass is available for grazing. However, this move comes with its own set of risks, including the potential stress on the animals and the risk of pregnant cows losing their pregnancies during the long journey.
The Gibsons are not alone in facing the challenges of this year’s drought. Many producers in the community have wasted a significant amount of seeds, fertilizers, and chemicals due to the dry conditions. Corinne emphasized the importance of resilience in farming but expressed concerns about how many more years of such conditions farmers can endure.
In response to the drought, the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) will be implementing a double low-yield appraisal process to support affected producers. This includes encouraging the diversion of low-yielding crops for additional feed for silage, grazing, or bales. Rainfall insurance is also available for eligible producers, with payments expected as early as mid-July.
Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Dayle Harrison acknowledged the challenges faced by producers and emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting them. The latest crop report highlighted the stress on crops caused by limited rainfall in many areas of the province. Producers are urged to continue monitoring their crops and to seek support from government programs to mitigate the impacts of the ongoing drought.
