Dry conditions take toll as Manitoba farmers demand provincial help

Manitoba municipalities in the Interlake and Parklandare demanding a meeting with the premier over a persistent drought that's depleted their supply of feed.

The farmers and cattle producers are calling on Premier Brian Pallister and Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler to intervene after hot, dry weather stunted hay production in the region.

"Time is of the essence," Arnthor Jonasson, reeve of the RM of West Interlake, told CBC ManitobaRadio NoonhostMarjorie Dowhos on Thursday.

"I don't think we're going to be able to avoid some drop in the number of cows [from producers selling], but I think if there is some hope that came from the province, there may be some people that would try to hold out."

Some ranchers forced to sell

The growing list of municipalities declaring a state of agricultural disasteris now at 16.

Jonassonsaid the drought means there is simply not enough feed to maintain the cattle herd, so producers are forced to buy overpriced hay or, in extreme cases, tryto sell theircattle.

"I've seen some herds advertised and they're faced with nobody looking to buyright now, because there is no feed in the area," he said.

This summer, the provincial governmentrespondedby temporarily allowingproducers to cut hay and graze their animals on Crown land notpermitted for agricultural use, as well asopening up new funding for water access.

Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler isconsidering further assistance for struggling producers, he said.

"There are a number of resources available to help producers manage feed shortage challenges and we are currently exploring options to expand and improve upon these supports," Eichler said in a statement.

Henry Rosing, a cattle producer in Lake Francis, said lower than expected precipitation levels have impeded farmersthe last two years.

"It mainly expresses itself in shortage of feed, pasture and now water sources are being compromised," he said.

Hay yield low

Rosing described the droughtasanother blow to the localcattle industry, a sectorbeset over the years fromnumerous floods wiping out pasture land and the bovine spongiform encephalopathycrisis before that.

He said his hay yieldis30 per cent ofaverage volume this year.

Although some needed precipitation hasarrived in recent weeks, Rosing said it'scome too late to make adifference.

"At this time of the year, we can't really expect a lot of grass growth anymore," he said. "It'll help a little bit inkeeping the cattle on pasture a little longer, but it won't really address the issue of feed shortages for the winter."

He hopes the province will step up with greater assistance, though he says his farm hasn't been slammed to the same degree.

The municipalities of Gilbert Plains, Glenella-Lansdowne, Rosedale, St. Laurent have recently joined the 12 RMsAlonsa, Armstrong, Bifrost - Riverton, Coldwell, Ethelbert, Fisher, Grahamdale, Lakeshore, McCreary, West Interlake and Woodlands who declared a state of agricultural disaster in late August.