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By Alice McFarlane

APAS Survey

Latest APAS survey shines light on farmers’ struggles

Apr 14, 2020 | 4:20 PM

The Agricultural Producer’s Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) released the results from its latest weekly survey.

The pandemic continues to challenge producers on a number of fronts.

APAS President Todd Lewis said the COVID-19 farm survey from April 6 to 12 has many producers concerned about cash flow.

“It’s not surprising,” Lewis said. “It’s going to be a major problem going forward. Farmers want to ensure their markets are going to be secure and when we get the crop in the ground we’re going to have a place to sell it.”

The survey said 32 per cent of producers were experiencing disruptions to the purchase or delivery of farm inputs. Lewis said farmers spend a lot of money in the spring and they are sensitive to rising costs. He said there may be a perception there will be supply issues but he hasn’t found that to be the case.

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“Speaking to our suppliers and different grain companies and independent dealers, it seems as if inputs won’t be as big of an issue as some producers think. I think, in reality, we’re probably going to be in a pretty good position,” he said.

More than half the 130 respondents said they were experiencing above average problems with cellphone and internet service. Lewis said this has been an ongoing problem.

“We need better internet and connectivity in rural Saskatchewan. The kids are home schooling online, more and more of our business has to be done online,” he said. “It shows how much of a disadvantage we have in rural Saskatchewan if you don’t have good internet or cell service. This is something that can’t get fixed overnight.”

It’s an issue that will be taken to the provincial and federal government, Lewis explained.

Many farmers still haven’t completed their harvest with 37 per cent of respondents saying they had combining to do before seeding could start.

“We added to the snowpack last week in some areas instead of losing some of it. Unfortunately, it’s in areas that have the most crop out,” he said. “It’s the worst thing that could possibly happen as far as being able to get crop off before seeding.”

Lewis said it’s going to be a struggle for some producers to get into those fields, finishing combining and getting the fields in condition so they can be seeded.

The new survey will be available until April 20. You can also find the full results of last week’s survey on the website.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @AliceMcF