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By Jaryn Vecchio

A Look Ahead

Carbon tax & lack of snow biggest concerns for farmers in 2024

Dec 28, 2023 | 5:12 PM

-A previous version said many farmers don’t use the latest green technology and machinery. This is incorrect and has been corrected.

2024 is just a few days away and some farmers are concerned about what the new year will have in store for them.

The issue causing the most anxiety is the carbon tax as it’s set to increase once again on April 1^st.

The Saskatchewan Government is trying to limit the impact of the tax by removing it from home heating starting Jan. 1^st.

Despite this, some in the agriculture sector are still worried.

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“The only optimism I would have about the tax changing is when we change the (federal) government. Things may get back to a little bit of common sense,” said Kerry Peterson, a Shellbrook area farmer.

A big reason why farmers are struggling with the tax more than the average household is due to how much diesel they have to use to continue their operations. Peterson believes farmers are being punished because many of them use environmentally friendly technology and machinery but still have to pay a hefty tax.

He’s not alone in thinking this way as Bob Reid, who farms in the Smeaton area between Prince Albert and Nipawin, couldn’t help but agree.

“This carbon tax on fuel, natural gas… it’s insane,” he said laughing sarcastically.

He also doesn’t believe any changes made to the tax will benefit farmers under the current federal government.

The other issue causing concerns for farmers is a lack of snow. It’s needed to help ensure the soil gets enough moisture ahead of seeding and gives cattle specifically another source of water.

Reid said farmers and ranchers desperately need more snow.

“You do not want it to happen, let me put it that way,” he added.

Peterson isn’t worried for his farm specifically, explaining the province has dealt with dry winters in the past and survived.

“In the past, I think, 20 years there’s been five or six years that we’ve been at this point. I can’t tell you how those crops ended up, but I’m not really concerned.”

He added he does feel for cattle producers who rely heavily on the snow.

In his opinion, one sizeable snowfall is all that’s needed to fix the problem.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow