Wildfire relief fund coming for Biggar area ranchers

The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) has launched a relief fund to help Biggar-area ranchers affected by last week’s wildfire.

SSGA President Bill Huber said the fire started Monday and was finally brought under control by volunteer firefighters on Thursday.

“From what we’ve heard is it’s over 20,000 acres of grassland, pasture and hay land that has been burnt or destroyed by fires,” Huber said. “Approximately 50 to 75 miles of fence that’s burnt and has to be replaced. A lot of hay fields and grazing pastures totally burnt off.”

Huber said anytime of the year this type of fire would be devastating.

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“We had a fairly cold February — a tough winter. Hay supplies were short last fall for a lot of producers, pastures were overgrazed last year in a lot of cases so a fire in that area now is going to add to the stress and the need for more grass and hay land.

“Producers are going to be looking for places to move cattle to whether they rent pastures, there will be added costs for renting, trucking costs to move cattle or feed so it’s not a good situation for any producer thats lost a good amount of grass,” Huber said.

“We’re putting out the message that we’re here to help and we’re looking for cash donations, we’re looking for trucking assistance, any feed that anyone has to sell at a reasonable cost or maybe donate,” Huber said. “If anyone knows of pastures to rent or some availability of grass where producers can move cattle to. Also anyone who may have fencing materials or posts.”

Huber said in times like this, ranchers always help each other out.

“We’re asking our members and everyone who is able to help, to pull together for the people in the ranching community who suffered damage from the wildfire,” Huber said. “In the fall of 2017 during the fires at Burstall and Wood Mountain producers banded together and they worked together, they made it go. It was appreciated by every producer that received a small donation.”

People can contribute by going to www.skstockgrowers.com or calling the SSGA office at (306) 757-8523. Producers affected by the fire can also call that number to identify what help they need.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF