By Alice McFarlane

Pork producers call for financial assistance with feed crisis

Sep 7, 2023 | 3:45 PM

Saskatchewan pork producers have been left out of a provincial government program that will help offset extraordinary feed costs because of drought conditions.

Saskatchewan Pork Development Board (Sask Pork) said their industry is also facing soaring feed costs like other livestock producers.

The Government of Saskatchewan announced the province is making up to $70 million available to beef cattle, bison, horse, elk, deer, sheep, and goat producers.

Sask Pork Chair Toby Tschetter estimates feed costs have increased by 40 per cent over the past three years.

“There are a lot of factors that have increased costs which include drought conditions, the labour market, freight and transportation costs to bring in alternative feed products,” Tschetter said. “Even though they’re events beyond our control they all contribute to the increase.”

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The rising costs have had an affect on the profitability of Saskatchewan pork producers. Tschetter, who represents Star City Farming, said there are several serious consequences that come with it.

“Our farms are facing the highest feed costs in the history of Saskatchewan hog production for the third year in a row and projected to add negative margins through the winter as hog prices go through the seasonal lows,” he said. “Many hog producers have again lost crops that are supposed to be used to feed their herds this winter and they are spending, just as cattle producers are, to find alternate feed sources.”

Tschetter said Sask Pork was disappointed the recently announced support program left out the hog producers. He said they recognize there is a need to support cattle producers but the issues and decisions being made today in the hog industry around the future of breeding herds are the same for livestock producers.

“The fact that a separate program even needs to be developed and announced for cattle just highlights how ineffective AgriStability is, along with farm support programs, in helping these types of situations,” Tschetter said.

Many producers are being forced to make tough decisions this fall and winter on reducing their sow herd.

Tschetter said all livestock producers are facing the same economic challenges when it comes to feed prices and availability.

“Any kind of assistance is essential in ensuring that we have a sustainable livestock industry in Saskatchewan,” he said.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW