Nearly $2 million was raised at the Say Hay benefit concerts held
Thanksgiving weekend in Edmonton and Calgary.
The sold-out country music concerts drew national attention with a CBC
telethon broadcast during the Calgary concert. Still to be tallied is
the total raised from phone-in pledges, corporate and private donations
and ticket sales, said concert organizer Greg Thomas.
“I can tell from the e-mails I’m receiving, we don’t have enough
money,” he said, in reference to need.
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The House of Commons standing agriculture committee has set its agenda for the coming months. Members began the fall sitting with a two-hour update on international trade
Organizers decided earlier this fall to spend the money on livestock
feed rather than direct cash donations to producers.
The Alberta 4-H Foundation has been contracted to administer money,
help distribute hay through lotteries and monitor further need
throughout the province.
The benefit paid for 100 rail cars to bring more Ontario hay west.
However, there is more effort to buy feed and bedding in Alberta and
Saskatchewan.
Need assessment is difficult as conditions change throughout the
province. Poor weather has downgraded a large share of the grain
harvest to feed quality, but frequent rain and snow falls make it
difficult to get grain and straw off the fields.
Animal concerns
The Alberta Farm Animal Care Foundation is also receiving support. The
foundation has hired co-ordinators Tim O’Byrne and Pam Miller to deal
with cases of livestock in distress on a confidential basis.
The foundation has a confidential toll-free number to handle third
party reports about livestock in trouble or producers themselves may
call for help.
AFAC’s toll-free number is 800-506-2773.
The 4-H Foundation can be contacted at foundation@4Hab.com or
780-682-2153.
