Interlake livestock producers sound alarm amid disastrous drought in Manitoba
Livestock producers in the Interlake are calling for immediate help from the provincial and federal governments to deal with the extreme drought.
Nearly 100 producers gathered for a rally west of Teulon Wednesday to bring attention to the issue.
Orval Procter, a councillor for the R.M. of Woodlands and a beef producer, helped organize the rally.
He said producers want financial assistance and more Crown land and Wildlife Management Areas opened for haying and grazing.
“The hay and stuff, you don’t know where it’s going to come from,” Procter said. “Some of the land here hasn’t been hayed for 10 years. It may not be the best but every eight bales of hay can save a cow.”
Producers said dugouts have dried up, grazing land and hay crops have been decimated, in part by grasshoppers and cattle prices are down.
Many have already started liquidating their herds, fearing they won’t be able to feed their animals
“Anything that I have to sell is going to be worth nothing,” Procter said.
John Dyck raises 125 head of cattle west of Teulon. He showed CTV News Winnipeg dried up dugouts on his land, which means he has to haul water three times a day to keep his herd hydrated.
“We had water until 10 days ago. We have three dugouts here and they’re all dry,” Dyck said. “When we get to the yard, you can see the grass — it’s like pavement.”
Conservative MP James Bezan, Liberal MLA Jon Gerrard and NDP MLA Diljeet Brar were in attendance and joined organizers on a tour of the area.
The politicians told attendees they’re pushing provincial and federal agriculture ministers to come up with aid and assistance to help producers in all sectors.
Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau told CTV News she will be in Manitoba this week to meet with families in the Interlake region.
"This extreme weather is causing extreme stress for many farm families, and my main message to them is that our Government is here to help and respond as fast as we can," Bibeau said in a statement.
Bibeau said prairie provinces have requested an AgriRecovery disaster relief program.
"Federal and provincial officials are now working together to do the assessments and design those programs province-by-province," she said.
"We are working around the clock to turn those around as quickly as possible to help farmers with extraordinary costs they face."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.