Compensation will help, but two Saskatchewan producers whose cattle died in a provincial pasture say they want to know exactly what happened.
Norm Bouvier and Calvin Gavelin lost at least 69 cows and calves last month. Another 10 head are still missing.
Results of an investigation released last week said the animals died of thirst. One pasture employee was fired and the manager, who was responsible for two pastures, was relieved of his duties at one of the pastures.
“We’re not admitting liability at this point but it certainly appears that there could have been some neglect involved here,” said assistant deputy minister Ernie Spencer.
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federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million
The province has offered compensation. A three-member committee will determine the amount.
But Bouvier is frustrated that nobody has admitted how the animals were left without water. Despite evidence suggesting the employee did not turn on the water to fill a trough for more than 200 cattle, there is no proof, he said.
“They don’t have the right kind of facts to point the finger,” Bouvier said.
Gavelin said he thinks both employees should have been fired.
“The guy that was transferred, he should’ve got his ticket, too,” he said.
Gavelin said the pasture system is built on trust. He had that when he helped move his cattle into a new field at the Meyronne pasture on Aug. 2.
But when his cattle were found dead on Aug. 18, his trust was shaken.
“At some point, trust is not enough any more,” he said. “Hopefully their conscience bothers them enough that they have to come forward.”
The two producers hope Swift Current, Sask., auctioneer Bruce Switzer will be appointed to the compensation committee.
“He knows the market, he knows our animals and what it will cost to replace them,” Bouvier said.
Before compensation is determined, Bouvier wants the cows still in the pasture to be checked for pregnancy.
