Assistance for Drought-Affected Farmers in Manitoba

There has never been a worse drought in Manitoba's Interlake Region. These ranchers need help asap!

Help the farmers

Get your act together Stupid Liberals, farmers should not have to beg for help. Remember them when you purchase your steak for your next BBQ!!!!!!

This is a total insult....appalling, that our poor farmers must fight for assistance, but Loblaws got $12 million for new fridges, the Media was given $600 + Million, terrorists are given $10.5 Million...$400+ Million for the illegal asylum seekers....not to mention the millions that leave the country for support around the world, but we must sign a petition to try to get assistance for our poor farmers that are struggling to stay afloat on a year like this? This disgusts me. I’m so very ashamed and embarrassed right now! We definitely need a government that will stand up and fight for its own people, rather than everyone that is not s Canadian Citizen!

We are a 3rd generation cow/calf operation, having farmed ourselves here in Eriksdale (Interlake) near Lake Manitoba since 1986. Never have we had a year of drought like this, as usually it is loss of hay due to flooding from Lake Manitoba or beaver dams. Hay crops at 30% of normal production this year in most cases and had to pasture cattle on hay land due to poor pasture which has reduced the amount of winter feed for them. On a piece of land where over 100 bales are usually harvested, only 12 were baled. Pasture brown all summer due to minimal rainfall and cows fighting grasshoppers for every blade of grass. We have built a solid cow herd in the 33 years we have farmed, but unfortunately already had to make the tough decision to sell 20% of our breeding cows at cull cow prices, with at least another 30% of bred cows having to be sold as cull cows before winter due to no feed. Even with keeping only 50% of the herd, it is doubtful that there will be enough feed to go around this year, especially if it turns out to be a long, cold winter. These Manitoba producers who have been drastically affected by the drought, through no fault of their own, are in dire need of $$$ assistance to purchase pellets or feeds that are readily available for their animals. Another option would be a payment per head for producers to make their own choices, to fit their personal situation. It is the family farm that is on a downward spiral this year, and the damage will be permanent to the Manitoba economy if the government doesn't step in before its too late. Condolences to all who have had to make difficult decisions to downsize or sell off their cow herds.

I agree with Jerry Jones.

We are truly struggling. Not only no pasture and water drying... but a whole winter is coming with 2nd year of feed shortage. We have wintered it once. I feel we are loosing heart. That troubles me. Many are too late in the game to recover big loses so doors begin to shut. Do we matter? Do we sell to offshore thinking they can learn the language, understand the climate challenges and keep food on the table for the world? Hunger changes people.

Some north interlake farmers are in dire need. Herd dispersal is imminent. There is no feed, no pasture, exorbitant feed prices on what little hay/straw available and freight costs are so high it is cheaper to sell the animals. With many farmers anticipating cutting their herds in half or more, the cattle prices will be undoubtedly poor as the quantity of animals sold flood the market! All levels of government need to step in and provide some programs to save our farms and livelihoods. The ecomomic survival of the whole surrounding interlake area depends on this.

Trucking assistance is crucial for our farm of 500 cows to continue to operate in the Interlake. Straw is available but at 120 miles to move it’s to costly. Our only option right now is to sell cows at a loss which would take 4-5 years to replace and would force us to seek off farm income to recover the payments on money borrowed for those cows.

We need help now to keep our economy alive.

We also are at about 1/3 of what we need for hay this year. Fall pasture is brown and dugouts are drying up. If something isn't done soon there will be no more family farms left. Sad situation when our govt doesn't seem to care for its own people.

The government needs to step up here, they constantly give foreign assistance and big corporate bail outs. Time the charity starts at home.

Our farmers are feeling the effects of an extremely dry season. They need assistance to keep their operations going. They need help now!

Box 114 St.Laurent, MB R0C 2S0

Farmers need and deserve help from the government. They send billions of our dollars abroad to help people, pony up and help our citizens that pay your salary.

Our farm is in desperate need of assistance. Our hay crops are not even 1/3 of what they should be. Will need to sell a portion of our herd.

Help a farmer

Please help our farmers!

My brothers are ranchers in the Cayer & Magnet area. They have had hardly any rain this spring and summer.

Our farmers are the backbone of our communities in Manitoba and they need help now!