After collecting more than $2 million worth of drought aid, fundraisers
are working to distribute hay and money that poured in from across
Canada.
Livestock producers, Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, Alberta
Farm Animal Care Foundation, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals and industry representatives met in Calgary last week to
discuss the need facing producers this winter and the true extent of
the drought that burned grass and crops across large sections of
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Alberta and Saskatchewan.
No one can provide a firm answer as to how much help is needed, and in
the opinion of spokespersons for the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association,
the need is not as great as perceived in July.
Peggy Strankman of the CCA said recent rain and the fall harvest have
produced additional locally grown feed and it is time to thank the
donors and move on.
“Is it sensible to go out and allow the public to believe western
Canadian agriculture is in crisis? The information we are getting does
not seem to back it up,” she said.
Cindy McReath of the CCA agreed: “This is not something that has never
happened before.”
She said serious drought in 1983-84 and 1996 forced widespread
livestock sales. People were not offered help then and most producers
managed to work their way out of those crises.
But others at the Calgary meeting did not agree.
All the aid groups said they believe there is a continuing need that
could extend until next June. It is not known how well people were able
to manage their way out of the situation by finding additional and
alternative feed or by selling or moving livestock out of province.
“There is a lot of unprecedented depopulation going on,” said hog
producer Dennis McKerracher.
“This problem is going to be here and intensify through here to spring.”
He said all livestock producers are concerned because other factors are
pummelling their sectors.
Prices have bottomed out and processing facilities are unable to take
all animals delivered for slaughter. The situation is particularly
serious for alternative livestock such as bison, deer and elk.
Money continues to be donated and eastern Canadian hay continues to
arrive by train and truck.
Between 60,000 and 70,000 tonnes of hay have been collected in Eastern
Canada.
Hay deliveries will end soon because cooler weather in Ontario will
make insect fumigation impossible. The process can’t be done in
temperatures colder than Ð5 C. However, groups may consider pelleting
the hay to continue sending it west.
All hay was donated, but private and government money helped pay to
bale and ship it to Alberta and Saskatchewan, where it was distributed
in a lottery system.
Bob Van Tongerloo of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies said a
Quebec couple made an anonymous donation of $200,000 to the federation.
Shell and Husky Oil donated fuel to keep trucking costs down to about
$1.10 per loaded kilometre.
The 4-H Foundation of Alberta is helping unload and distribute hay.
The most successful campaign this summer is the Say Hay country music
benefit concerts scheduled for Calgary and Edmonton on the Thanksgiving
weekend. Organizer Greg Thomas of Key Entertainment said nearly $1.5
million has been raised. Some of it will help pay for 50 Canadian
Pacific Railway and 25 Canadian National rail cars for the Hay West
campaign.
Concert money may also help the 4-H Foundation distribute hay, and the
SPCA and AFAC set up feed banks for livestock in distress this winter.
No money will be given directly to producers.
Thomas said they prefer to donate the money and other aid to farm
groups who can identify the greatest need and distribute it fairly.
Those looking for help or know of people in need can call the
foundation for animal care at a toll-free number to get feed to animals
immediately.
“We want to build awareness of AFAC,” Thomas said.
“We would like to see farmers and ranchers who are having trouble call
and get help before they go down for the third time and it’s too late.”
The group agreed a permanent disaster aid program is needed, whether
for fire, flood or drought.
Foundation manager Susan Church said no one is sure how much feed has
been stockpiled or if AFAC’s feed bank will have enough hay and straw.
The foundation plans to use the donated money to buy feed and stockpile
it for those with the greatest need.
Animal behaviourist Tim O’Byrne has been hired to help co-ordinate
SPCA’s aid and distribution programs.
The Animal Care Alert line is 800-506-2273.
