By Nicole Reis

Ranchers in the R.M. of Meadow Lake and surrounding areas offered support after flooding

Jul 8, 2020 | 3:23 PM

Cattle farmers and producers in the R.M. of Meadow Lake and surrounding rural areas are suffering from significant loss and much frustration when it comes to disaster relief due to ongoing water damage and flooding to pasture land and farm property.

A disaster situation was declared on June 23 in the R.M. of Meadow Lake after nearly 20 rural roads were restricted to local traffic or closed as a result of flooding. With rain in the forecast for the coming days, the immediate situation could worsen.

Brent Brooks, owner of Northern Livestock Sales, held a meeting on July 2 to assist farmers with the necessary resources as unclear information had been circulating in the midst of the crisis. Brook’s information session included nearly 90 local ranchers and representation from four affected rural municipalities and representation from Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association (SCA), Ministry of Agriculture, and Ducks Unlimited.

“There’s a lot of steps that have to be taken over the next eight months to a year where we can get these guys back on a level ground where they can operate,” Brooks told meadowlakeNOW. “The biggest thing right now is some form of grazing assistances. Right now we’re seeing ranchers grazing off their hay land which gets into a fall feeding situation. But the immediate issues are keeping livestock safe and trying to get infrastructure back in place on the ranches.”

Brooks explained roads and dykes have washed away causing hardships for ranchers. The 20-minute drive now either takes over an hour or requires a boat trip to check on the animals’ wellbeing. He says a diversion of water north of Highway 16 is necessary.

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Since June 9, ranchers are preparing infrastructure on the home ranch and trying to hold dykes down to divert some water off hay land but the flooding continues. Miles of dykes in the north-country have been wiped right out, Brooks said.

“It’s incomprehensible,” he said. “I don’t know how to put a value on their loss and our ranchers don’t know how to put a value on the loss because their hay land and grazing land is underwater and until that subsides, you don’t know what kind of situation they’re in.”

(Nicole Reis/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

Brooks advises producers to document the clean up and disaster recovery.

“Maintain very good record keeping and take pictures,” he said. “If you’re doing clean up on the property take pictures, record what equipment you’re using, how long it took you to do it and the reasons for it, if there were trees or fencing moved. Take pictures of everything.”

Brooks said ranchers in the R.M. of Meadow Lake, R.M. of Beaver River, R.M. of Parkdale, Loon Lake, R.M. of Big River have the highest concentrations of mother cows per acre anywhere in North America. When a ranching industry is affected by flooding it has widespread economic implications. The ranchers may have to sell or reduce their operation and the local community is affected as it relies on the agricultural industry for income.

Brooks says he is working closely with SCA to advocate for local producers to provincial and federal governments to come up with a plan for water diversion and other advocacy work.

Arnold Belicki, chairperson with the SCA attended the meeting and commends Brooks who informed the community about the resources available to them during a time of disaster. He said time was of the essence and Brooks’ assistance was paramount in gathering contacts to engage local producers about what needs to be done.

“We’re told it’s not just the river, it’s the excessive amount of beavers that are part of the problem too,” Belicki said. “We’re going to push to see what [the government] can come up with for a program but there are huge concerns where the volume and the speed of the water was such where the curves of the river have washed down the banks.

“That’s something we’re going to take to government to understand what we can do to mitigate further flooding in years to come.”

Trish Johnson, program specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture, said she knew of the flooding but learned just how severe its impact was by listening to farmers speak during the July 2 meeting.

Resources for Producers Experiencing Flooding

Northern Livestock Sales compiled a list of resources for local ranchers who may experience flooding in the coming days and for those who are currently enduring a loss.

Government Programing for Producers faced with Flooding

PDAP – The Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) helps agricultural operations recover from natural disasters, including flooding, tornadoes, plow winds and other disasters caused by severe weather.

Toll Free: 1-866-632-4033

Crown Leased Land – Every year the lands management specialist sends a letter to the lease holder asking them to report flooded acres and adjust the rent accordingly. For more information, call the AKC or your local land management specialist.

Toll Free Number: 1-866-457-2377

Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) offices or toll-free at: 1-888-935-0000

SCIC coverage for excessive moisture includes:

Forage Insurance – Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation offers forage insurance to cover hay loss as well as unseeded acres due to flooding.

Establishment Benefit – for seeded crops failing to establish

Unseeded Acreage feature – for acres unseeded or seeded and subsequently unable to be reseeded

WLPIP (Western Livestock Price Insurance Program) – The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation offers price insurance for cattle to protect themselves against unexpected price declines.

FRWIP – Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture offers the farm ranch water infrastructure program. One of the programs helps producers pay 50 per cent of the cost to build a new dugouts or expand existing ones, and drill water wells for cattle.

Toll Free Number: 1-866-457-2377

EFDRP – Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program is administered by the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency and provides assistance with the implementation of emergency flood protection measures for communities, rural municipalities, businesses, non-profit organizations, individuals with rural yard sites, country residences, and cottages to prevent damage from imminent risk of flooding.

Call: 1-306-694-3900

The Farm Stress Line – is available to support Saskatchewan producers in times of stress or crisis. Staffed by trained crisis workers, it is available 24/7, and all calls are strictly confidential. Call the Farm Stress Line anytime at 1-800-667-4442.

Toll Free: 1-800-667-4442

Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Feed Extension Specialists – Ministry of Agriculture has regional livestock and feed extension specialists that can provide feeding and grazing options for producers, see attached contact list.

Toll Free Number: 1-866-457-2377

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722