Producers taking part in Cadillac Townhall. (Facebook/Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Town Hall Meetings

Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association hosts popular meetings for producers hit by drought

Aug 3, 2023 | 1:54 PM

Hundreds of farmers and ranchers hit hard by drought conditions took part in two town halls this week put on by the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association (SCA).

The first was in Cabri where over 100 people were in attendance, while the second in Cadillac saw around 80 participate. Two town halls were also held last week in Perdue and Kindersley.

Up for discussion were supports available like the forage rainfall insurance program and the change to the low yield threshold which allows poor crops to be used as feed. Representatives from the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), the Agricultural Producers Association Of Saskatchewan (APAS), and the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) were also in attendance to answer questions.

Grant McLellan, CEO of the SCA, told farmnewsNOW many also took the time to share their biggest challenges.

“The cost of feed, the availability of good water, but also the cost of freight whether you’re hauling feed or water.”

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He said many also discussed the struggles they’ve been facing for several years. Many areas, including the southwest and west central regions, are still feeling the impacts of drought conditions in past years.

“A lot of the discussion, particularly in the southwest, is about the lack of sub-soil moisture and the ability for pastures to recover in future years,” added McLellan. “They have to let things recover in future years so it means they can’t graze or produce feed at the same intensity that they did in the past.”

Because of this, it’s easy to say this year’s drought has been the most severe for many producers across the province.

Meanwhile, one more town hall has been scheduled for next week in Central Butte.

It will happen on Aug. 9 at the community’s Legion Hall from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“It’s really good to see that people found value in coming out and making sure that they (are) heard,” said McLellan.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow