By Angie Rolheiser

Agriculture Roundup for Thursday July 22, 2021

Jul 22, 2021 | 11:09 AM

MELFORT, Sask. — Drought, finances and family issues top the list of topics people want to talk about to the trained staff at the provincial Farm Stress Line.

The line is operated on a 24-hour basis by Mobile Crisis Services.

“The upside is that no matter how many issues they are bringing to the table, people are willing to work through the issues that may have been simmering for a long time,” Jan Thorson, acting Executive Director of Mobile Crisis Services said.

The Farm Stress Line gives people an opportunity to talk with someone they don’t know and get things off their chest.

There has been no official tabulation on the number of calls received this year, but Thorson estimates it’s about a 20 percent increase over 2020.

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Agriculture Minister David Marit is looking at several options for additional farm drought aid.

Marit said the province has asked Ottawa to implement AgriRecovery.

That could lead to support for possible items like costs of hauling water or setting up temporary grazing fences around drought-stricken crops.

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NDP Leader Ryan Meili toured one of the many drought-stricken areas of the province on Wednesday.

The tour made its way south of Moose Jaw, not too far from the U.S. border

Meili met with a handful of farmers and ranchers in the McCord and Rockglen areas.

He is originally from that area of the province.

“I haven’t seen the land look like this since the 1980’s and they are telling us that it is worse than the 88′ drought,” Meili said. “Grasshoppers, gophers, dry land, no water, it is a really serious situation and people need help today.”

Meili said a federal/provincial government assistance programs are needed because people are worried about the future of their farms and livestock.

He added there is no long-term economic recovery for Saskatchewan without a thriving agriculture sector.

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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW