Big Stick, Fox Valley and neighbouring rural municipalities in the southwest declared states of emergency this year after nine years of consecutive drought. Community leaders have called for months on the government to step in and help.
“Our producers deserve a bright future in this province,” said Carla Beck, Saskatchewan NDP Leader and Agriculture Shadow Minister.
“Their farms have been proudly built by families for generations. Let me make this really clear for Scott Moe and the Sask. Party — it’s in everyone’s interest that they keep driving our economy forward and delivering the world-class agricultural products that Saskatchewan is known for.”
Producers say that the situation is dire, that it’s make-or-break for 75 per cent of the farms in the two rural municipalities.
“Costs are up. Revenue is down. So farmers are struggling a lot and a big concern moving forward are the programs we've been using, such as crop insurance, just aren't significant enough. They're well below the cost of production, which is creating a big financial burden for the farmers in the area and basically moving forward in the next year, it is a make or break year for our area,” said Tyson Jacksteit, a farmer and councillor for the RM of Big Stick.
“Our farm is over 100 years old, and I'd be devastated to see that happen. I'm the fourth generation. I have two boys below me. And yeah, it’s tough to see. We're in dire need of something. We're kind of the forgotten corner,” said Kalin Deis, a farmer in the area.
The Saskatchewan NDP and leaders from the RMs Big Stick and Fox Valley reiterated their call on the provincial and federal governments to:
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Provide emergency support to producers facing devastation
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Fix crop insurance and business risk management programs going into the growing season ahead to ensure producers have the backstop they deserve
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Introduce a 10-year deferral on taxes for livestock producers forced to sell breeding stock due to drought
“This region is facing an unprecedented crisis,” said Trent Wotherspoon, Saskatchewan NDP Deputy Agriculture Shadow Minister. “The devastation and loss as a result of a nine-year drought is hard to fathom — you have to see the damage to believe it.
“These are hardworking producers in a proud part of the province, and they’re in a really horrible spot. They deserve help, and they shouldn’t be left high and dry by their government.”
“I mean, we provide support to the province as a whole. We expect support back from the provincial government. We have heard nothing back from Premier Moe since we met with the Agriculture Minister in the summer. He hasn't even come out to the area to see the problem,” said Tyson Jacksteit.