SARM is calling on the Province to provide a payment of $10 per acre for producers in drought-affected areas of southern Saskatchewan.
“Producers in southern Saskatchewan experienced severe drought conditions this past year affecting both the crop and livestock sectors,” said SARM President David Marit. “There is a real need for financial assistance and we are asking Minister Wartman and the Province to step up and provide $10 per acre – the same amount producers in the northeast affected by flood received this spring – for producers in affected drought regions.”
Over 20 RMs declared disaster status in 2006 as a result of the lack of moisture during summer and the preceding winter, and excessively high temperatures during the heart of the growing season.
Both pastures and croplands were affected by drought. Extreme conditions resulted in a significant reduction in both the yield and quality of grains and oilseeds, diminishing prospects of positive farm revenue. And, with dugouts and pastures dried up, many livestock producers were feeding and watering cattle as early as the beginning of August, creating a probable feed shortage this winter.
“There are no management practices to safeguard against unpredictable natural disasters and current programs are not sufficiently covering these losses,” said Marit. “Whether flood, frost, or drought, each year it seems disaster strikes an area of the province, confirming the need for an efficient, long-term disaster program. While we strongly encourage such future programs and are committed to working with governments towards this goal, the present situation in the south needs to be immediately addressed by the province to provide some relief for producers facing these hardships.”
For more information contact:
David Marit
President
Cell: (306) 476-7754
Home: (306) 476-2600
