Stock Growers want the Saskatchewan government to beef up drought aid

The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) said more needs to be done to assist livestock producers facing extreme drought conditions across the province.

SSGA President Garner Deobald said this year started with more optimism, but in drought-impacted areas across the province, forage crops and pastures are in worse shape than in 2022.

The Federal and Saskatchewan Governments announced on Wednesday an increase to low yield appraisal through Saskatchewan Crop Insurance. Deobald said it was a good first step in making additional feed available but more needs to be done.

“Since early June, the drought has continued to expand in size and severity, especially in areas that have experienced multiple years of well-below-average precipitation, which is triggering drought-related pest infestations. Producers are rushing to harvest what little forage has grown before grasshoppers eat it,” Deobald said.