WINNIPEG – Cattle producers around a major lake system in Manitoba are asking the provincial government for help after losing an important source of feed.
More than 200 cow/calf operations around lakes Manitoba, Winnipegosis, Dauphin, Waterhen and St. Martin have watched as rising waters have drowned native hay stands during the past four years.
The farmers have traditionally grazed their cattle on native hay pastures in the summer and baled it for at least half of the feed ration for their cows in the winter.
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The hay isn’t covered by the provincial disaster assistance program because it used to be insurable. But in 1994, the native hay insurance program was cancelled because of low participation and high premiums.
“Maybe this isn’t as dramatic as a big tornado or a tidal wave coming and destroying a bunch of hay or property,” said Steve Bobinski, who farms near Lake Winnipegosis.
“But I can assure you that the results are the same: There will be no feed put up.”
Happens naturally
Farmers believe the higher levels are caused by Mother Nature and improved agricultural drainage in other parts of the province.
The Assiniboine River is also diverted into Lake Manitoba to prevent urban flooding. But the lake drains into only one river, and the spillway for the dam on the river has not been improved in more than 20 years.
It frustrates farmers like Blair Olafson, who owns more than 250 cows near Lake Manitoba Narrows. His native hay has been flooded three years out of the past four.
Poor quality hay
Last winter was bitterly hard on cattle producers in his area because they had to buy a lot of feed. And this summer, they’ve had to deal with lots of rain and poor quality tame hay and pastures.
“There are quite a few producers here who are still trying to work on first-cut alfalfa,” said Bobinski. “You can imagine the type of quality it is.”
Farmers in the region say native hay is the most economical way to feed cattle on much of the land around the lakes. It grows well in low-lying areas, or stony or alkali soil.
Like most farmers in the region, Bobinski said he faces some tough decisions. He and his brother are considering selling about half of their 200 cows because they can’t afford to feed them with today’s high feed grain prices and low cattle prices.
Provincial agriculture minister Harry Enns toured the area with other government officials at the end of August.
Bobinski and Olafson said Enns seemed to understand the problem. They hope he’ll be able to get them some short-term help and make long-term improvements to the drainage of Lake Manitoba.
