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Yahoo
7 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Farmers suffer through 'worst year' of devastating conditions: 'People are getting really tired'
Farmers suffer through 'worst year' of devastating conditions: 'People are getting really tired' Extreme heat and ongoing drought are pushing some farmers in Saskatchewan, Canada, to their limits. After nine consecutive dry years, many say this season is shaping up to be the most devastating yet. What's happening? Farmers in southwestern Saskatchewan are facing one of the harshest growing seasons on record, CJME reported. After nearly a decade of persistent drought, record-breaking heat is making the damage even worse, scorching crops and drying out pastures. Some farmers say they're being pushed to the brink. "It's the worst year that I've ever seen," said Kelly Bakanec, a farmer near Fox Valley. "Another week or two of this drought, and we won't even take our combines out. We'll be lucky to scratch around and get our seed back right now." Hay crops are particularly devastated, and ranchers like Alvin Pawlitza are having to get feed from far away in Manitoba and northern Montana. "You start buying feed and to truck it in, you're $2,000 or $2,500 a load for, say, 40 bales, and you need 400 or 500 bales just to help get through," Pawlitza said. Why are struggling crops concerning? As rising global temperatures drive more extreme weather, prolonged droughts like this one are becoming harder to recover from and to insure against. Farmers are dealing with reduced yields, growing debt, and inadequate safety nets. Bakanec summed it up, saying: "Every year, a guy's getting farther and farther behind." But the impact goes far beyond the farm and crop producers. As harvests shrink and feed becomes more expensive, food prices could rise across the supply chain, affecting families at every income level. And if more ranchers are forced to sell off their herds or move to different areas, it could leave lasting gaps in local food supply chains. "Producers here are extremely resilient, and they're pretty tough," Pawlitza said. "But we've been in this long enough that we have to start to consider some options … because this is getting long, and people are getting really tired of trying to deal with this." What's being done to support struggling crops? Farmers want better support from the government, including transportation aid and improved insurance programs. Pawlitza, for example, points to neighboring Alberta's stronger hay and rainfall insurance programs as a potential model for Saskatchewan. On a broader scale, protecting our food future means reducing the heat-trapping pollution that worsens rising temperatures and extreme weather. That includes making homes and transportation cleaner and more efficient, switching to clean energy, and supporting sustainable farming practices wherever possible. People at home can explore critical climate issues to learn more about local initiatives working to make the future cleaner and safer for us all. Do you think your city has good air quality? Definitely Somewhat Depends on the time of year Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
CTV News
10-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
‘By far the worst year': Persistent drought prompts states of emergency in Sask.
Saskatchewan is dealing with 68 active wildfires, heat warnings in the southwest and states of emergencies due to drought. Allison Bamford has more. Saskatchewan is dealing with 68 active wildfires, heat warnings in the southwest and states of emergencies due to drought. Allison Bamford has more. In the southwest corner of Saskatchewan, farmers are facing growing conditions comparable to the extreme drought of in the 1930s. Several rural municipalities (RM) have declared states of emergency due to the dry conditions that have persisted for nearly a decade in some areas. 'This is the third year we've done this,' said Kelly Bakanec, reeve of the RM of Fox Valley. 'And this is by far the worst year.' Tyson Jacksteit farms near Golden Prairie, Sask., in the RM of Big Stick — the first to declare a state of emergency this season. He stands in a field of lentils where just as much dirt is visible as there are plants. 'It's very troublesome to see a crop like this,' he said. The plants that are standing are just inches tall when they should be several feet by now. 'What makes it worse is we've had this kind of crop for nine years consecutive now,' he said. Jacksteit has a box of small glass jars filled with seeds that belonged to his grandfather, with handwritten labels that note the crop yields. Sask. farm droughts Tyson Jacksteit holds up a jar of seed collected by his grandfather in 1935. (CTV News) The collection is a reminder of just how tough the 'Dirty Thirties' were for farmers trying to grow crops on drought-stricken land. In 1932, there were 25 bushels per acre that sold for 37 cents a bushel, according to the log. By 1936, yields dropped to three bushels an acre, which is what some of this year's crops are expected to produce. 'I believe this could be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Lots of guys are going to exit the industry and get out while they can,' Jacksteit said, adding he and his brother stand to lose $750,000 on their farming operation this year. Many others in the area face the same uncertainty. Farmers aren't sure what they'll do with their crops. Several fields have already turned yellow and gold, about a month ahead of schedule. Virginia Maier, farmer and reeve of the RM of Enterprise, says not even rain will help at this point. 'It's done. It's not going to produce anything. There's nothing there,' she said of her durum crop. Multiple years of drought have also been bad for her livestock. A few years ago, she reduced her cattle herd from about 45 cows to 30. Dry conditions and a lack of green pastures made it unsustainable. Now she's trying to conserve as many feed sources as possible. 'We need to be able to think about next year and make sure that we have enough grass and hay for next year,' she said. Sask. farm drought Tyson Jacksteit compares the height of his pocket knife to the height of his neighbour's pea crop. (CTV News) New changes to Saskatchewan's crop insurance programs aim to address some of this year's feed shortages. Producers can turn poor-performing crops into livestock feed without impacting their future coverage. But farmers staring down a decade of drought want more protection. 'We need a revamp of the crop insurance system. I'm not looking for any handouts. I just would like some modernization' said farmer Arlen Herter, adding his crop insurance guarantee per acre won't even cover the cost of production this year. The provincial government says it recognizes the challenges producers are facing and has adapted its programs to support farmers Jacksteit would like to see financial support to help producers make it through this year. Additionally, he wants changes to the way existing insurance programs are calculated, as well as farmers having the ability to salvage their seed without getting dinged on their coverage. 'Seed is expensive and it's going to be hard to come by if nobody combines anything,' Maier said. For now, hope is keeping these farmers in the fields, along with optimism that next year will be better.
