By Chris Brown

Province announces support for livestock producers

Aug 6, 2021 | 6:33 PM

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – With below-average rainfall for much of the spring and summer and temperatures in the mid to high 30s in recent weeks, livestock producers have faced one of their toughest years in recent memory.

“We’ve already seen many record-breaking dry days this year and we’ve hit a point where many are facing severe drought conditions,” Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said this afternoon.

The province is making financial support available.

Alberta is allocating $136 million in immediate financial relief to livestock producers and Alberta beekeepers, Kenney said.

And it’s made a request to the federal government to make a further $203 million available through the joint federal-provincial AgriRecovery program.

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If the federal government approves the request it will mean about a 200 dollar per head payment for producers. Payments will be split in two, with $94 paid immediately and $106 paid at the end of the year.

“Farmers and ranchers are always there for us when we need them,” Kenney said. “Year in year out they’re producing the food that stocks our grocery store shelves and gives us the food security that we’ve come to take for granted. We owe it to them to be there just as they are there for the rest of us.”

Earlier today the federal government today announced $100 million in AgriRecovery money to be spread across Ontario and the four western provinces. The premier is taking that as a hopeful sign for Alberta’s request.

The government is also making temporary changes to provide new sources of feed for livestock and to speed up water licenses and access to water for grazers and producers.

Livestock producers can call 310-FARM (3276) for more information.