Program provided feed to Sask. cattle producers after last year’s drought significantly reduced supplies in the region
It was a moving experience for Luke Ferrari as a trailer load of high-quality large square hay bales pulled into his yard in early April.
“It was overwhelming. We were just so happy to get it,” said the Livelong, Sask., rancher, who runs 150 cow-calf pairs and annually purchases about 200 yearlings.
“I was really counting on this hay to come through and it was just in the nick of time because we fed every bale before the grass started coming,” he said May 24.
Ferrari and his wife, Sheri, were among the 56 producers in the province to receive hay from the Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) Hay West project.
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The program, started last September by the Christian organization, saw farmers in Ontario donate hay to help out Saskatchewan livestock producers hard hit by drought and lack of forage.
The initiative was a repeat of 2012 Hay East, whereby Saskatchewan farmers sent hay to drought-stricken livestock producers in Ontario through MDS.
“It was just a great team effort all the way through from the farmers. Every time we had an appeal asking for more hay or more funds the response was overwhelming with support in helping our farmers in the West because they had so generously helped us back in 2012,” said Lester Weber, one of the project organizers for MDS Ontario.
“We were not able to obviously help everybody that we possibly could have, but it seems we did what we could with the resources that we had,” he added.
“It’s gratifying to see when we are able to help each other out in need because, after all, that’s what we’re called to do.”
Donated hay was made available to family farms at a cost of 10 cents per pound for dairy grade and seven cents per lb. for beef grade, which helped offset the cost of trucking. Donations were also applied to that cost.
Weber also acknowledged the support of Lloyd Hutton Transport in Paisley, Ont., which trucked most of the hay to Saskatchewan from Ontario while charging significantly less than usual rates.
MDS Canada reported the cost of the project was $345,000. A total of $86,600 was donated by MDS supporters, while farmers in Saskatchewan paid $158,300 toward trucking costs. The remaining $100,100 is being provided by MDS Canada from its reserves.
About 85 applications were assessed on a ranch-by-ranch basis, which considered percentage of family income from livestock as well as long-term expectations for continuing in beef production.
“Probably a third of the applicants did not receive hay and that’s unfortunate,” said Ike Ebb of the MDS Saskatchewan Unit.
“We were quite aware at the beginning that the need was far greater than what we could fill, but we thought we would do our best,” he said.
“Many said there was just no hay in their area to buy and it didn’t matter how much money you had. So, the need was definitely great and the majority of our hay went to the southern part of the province.”
Like Ferrari, it was also touch and go for cattle producer Cornelius Beveridge, who received the timely arrival of 34 alfalfa square bales at his Maple Creek operation in November.
“We used most of that feed right around Christmas time. That was the kind of stuff that the cows would eat when it was minus 40. So, they were definitely happy to have that to keep warm. We stretched it as far as we could,” he said.
“We now have zero hay in the barn and in the bale yard. We have nothing.”
Beveridge is not optimistic about the coming growing season and market conditions.
“We just spent a day at the auction watching what some pair prices were doing and they were averaging about $1,800 per pair. On a normal year you’re quite likely to get $2,500. Basically, they’re going to buy the cow for meat price and the calf they’re going to dock you because it’s just a burden for them to deal with. So, it’s less than meat price for both of them.
“If we could sell our pairs further east to someone that’s got grass, that would be great. And if not, we’ll have to hang on to them and graze everything, which will mean no stockpiling. But then in the fall, instead of selling 70 pairs, we might have to sell 120 cows once the calves are off.
“But we’re kind of torn between selling or waiting later and selling more. So, we’ll have to see.”
Both ranchers are appreciative for the generosity of their Ontario neighbours.
“It was nice to see people in other provinces aware of the situation that we are in and generous enough to donate the hay to where we could pull through another winter,” said Beveridge.
Added Ferrari: “The program’s fantastic and hopefully they can continue on doing it: whether it’s hay going east or hay going west. Let’s help each other out.”
To that end, Luke and Sheri Ferrari are planning to visit this summer with the Ontario producer where their hay originated.
“We’re just going to drop by and say thank you,” said Sheri.
Added Luke: “We sent him a message saying thanks very much and how much we appreciate the hay…If we could return the favour somehow that would be great.”
