Although some farmers in the Interlake were unable to seed their crops because of wet conditions early in the season and other are suffering from low grain prices, they’re not facing what could be considered an agricultural disaster the way they had about four or so years ago under severe drought.
Despite that, some farmers have called on their municipalities to lobby the government for a disaster assistance program.
Gordon Klym, who farms in the community of Ledwyn in the Municipality of Bifrost-Riverton, said he wouldn’t characterize the situation in his municipality as an agricultural disaster, but there have been challenges this year.
Some farmers have been unable to seed or suffered crop losses from the extraordinary moisture they had early in the season, and the high heat they experienced in July hampered seed development.
“We had an extremely wet spring that continued through the season and a lot of guys didn’t even get their fields half-seeded. Fields that did get seeded before the [insurance] deadline had rain again. In the second week in July in the Ledwyn area, we got almost five inches of rain, and low spots [in the fields] were drowned out,” said Klym. “Then we got the heat, which helped dry things out, but it’s not that great for a growing crop because the seed size will be really small.”
Heat above optimal conditions for some plants can suppress growth.
Klym planted wheat, canola, beans and a bit of winter wheat this year, but didn’t get everything seeded because of wet conditions. Despite that, he said he’s doing alright. It’s normal for farmers in the Interlake to “struggle almost every year” as opposed to other regions of the province.
“Even though I didn’t get everything seeded – I got 80 per cent seeded – I was probably one of the lucky ones. There were a couple of quarters I did seed but probably shouldn’t have because we were struggling with the weather and wet land. But it turned out for the most part,” said Klym.
Agricultural producers in other areas of the province, such as the RM of Dauphin, got hit badly by too much rain and were unable to seed. Crops that were seeded end up drowning.
RM of Dauphin chief administrative officer Nicole Chychota said RM council passed a resolution at its July 9 meeting to declare a state of agricultural disaster. Agricultural production is the most prevalent part of the RM’s economy and the resolution requested the province initiate a financial assistance program for all those affected.
“It was an unfortunately wet spring, she said. “I know that farmers didn’t get to seed everything as a result of the rain.”
Chychota said that such a declaration does not make the municipality – or any municipality – eligible for disaster financial assistance, but it does ensure the provincial government is made “aware” of the situation.
At its Aug. 14 meeting, RM of Gimli council voted to send a resolution to the Association of Manitoba Municipalities with regard to an Agriculture Disaster Assistance Program. Council had been asked by some farmers to make the request.
The RM of Fisher was asked last Friday whether its council had passed a resolution to declare a state of agricultural disaster. Jerry Flett, who works in administration, said there was no resolution to do so, and that such a declaration would be a “serious move” and have to be “driven by ratepayers.”
Klym, who in addition to farming is a councillor on Bifrost-Riverton council, said there are a number of farmers on council and nobody has yet stepped forward to suggest that there’s a need for the municipality to approach the Association of Manitoba Municipalities or the government to offer an assistance program this year. And programs that are out there already to help farmers have not really been improved despite promises to do so.
A number of years ago when the province was suffering extreme drought, cattle producers were desperate for feed and they had to import it, he said. They did get compensated to some extent under a government program, but he isn’t sure how well the program worked out overall as sellers with feed jacked up prices. And there was no help for grain farmers.
“A couple of years ago [2021] municipalities in the Interlake declared a state of agricultural disaster because of drought but nothing really happened, and I can’t remember any time that declaring a state of disaster helped me out,” he said.
In addition to climate-related losses, Klym said crop prices have tanked to an “extreme low,” which will affect him.
“Everything impacts us farmers. Some will have a reduction in crop [yield] and overall prices are at an extreme low,” he said. “Taxes haven’t come down. Fuel hasn’t come down. Nothing has come down except crop prices.”
The province’s Grain and Oilseed Prices report of Aug. 16 shows the price of canola having dropped $23.37 a tonne to $523.37 per tonne. Last year it was $761.91 a tonne. All other grains and oilseeds also show a drop in price. And Statistics Canada shows canola prices in June across the prairie provinces are down by at least 12.5 per cent.
Klym said farmers were getting $20 a bushel for beans two years ago, and now they’re down to about $11.
“Wheat was up to $14. But this morning I got [a notice] saying you can lock it in for $7. Wow. Who’s going to lock that in? It’s absolutely ridiculous how the prices have dropped,” said Klym. “We keep hearing that there’s a grain surplus in storage worldwide and that may be the reason for the low prices. Or maybe they don’t need a reason. There are only a few companies buying grain out there, and if they get together and set the price, then that’s the price.”
A joint Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City rail strike last week that could have tied up grain shipments and fertilizer was averted after the Canada Industrial Relations Board – at the prompting of the federal labour minister – issued a decision to have rail workers remain on the job.
The Express asked the provincial department of agriculture whether it has received any concerns from Interlake municipalities regarding an agricultural disaster and whether it plans to introduce a disaster financial assistance program for 2024.
A spokesperson said only that a disaster financial assistance program would be “announced through the appropriate channels.”
