Ottawa provides livestock support update

Sep 08, 2023

Work with the Saskatchewan government is “urgently progressing,” AAFC says

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

The federal government is working with Saskatchewan’s provincial government on a livestock support package.

Farms.com contacted Minister MacAulay’s office following the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association letter to him urging the federal government to come up with its share of AgriRecovery support after the provincial government stepped up with $70 million in funding.

An Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) spokesperson provided Farms.com with the following response:

“Our thoughts are with farmers and ranchers right across the country who have been affected by extreme weather, drought conditions, and wildfires over the past number of months. We have worked quickly with the Government of Saskatchewan on a joint AgriRecovery assessment to examine the impacts of the drought.

“Work with the province is urgently progressing to finalize the AgriRecovery process and to determine additional support required to cover the extraordinary costs incurred by producers. We will continue to support our agricultural producers and ranchers facing droughts and other extreme weather events, to mitigate their impacts and adopt innovative new technologies to be better prepared for them in the future.”

The AAFC response also highlighted the Livestock Tax Deferral provision and other business risk management programs available to farmers.

And while cattle producers await the federal government’s support, another segment of Saskatchewan’s ag population is wondering if they’ll receive any assistance from any level of government.

Saskatchewan’s pork sector has also experienced increased production costs.

This includes feed, labour and transportation. But the industry was left out of the provincial government’s announcement.

“The fact that a separate program even needs to be developed and announced for cattle just highlights how ineffective AgriStability is, along with farm support programs, in helping these types of situations,” Toby Tschetter, chair of the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board, told paNOW.com.

Video: FLEECED! Sheep Shearer Hands Over Clippers!

It's sheep shearing day at Ewetopia Farms! ?? Our Dorset lambs and ewes are getting fleeced — and for the first time, our shearer hands over his clippers to a beginner. We finish shearing the last of our adult ewes and this year’s Dorset ewe lambs.

From moving the sheep between barns, loading them into chutes, and watching the wool come off, this is always one of the most satisfying days on the farm. But this video has a twist — we welcomed a new helper, Gian, who’s not only lending a hand but also learning how to shear! With guidance from our experienced shearer, he got a crash course in sheep shearing and even tried his hand at shearing a couple of lambs himself.

You’ll see firsthand how both teacher and student handled this unique challenge. Shearing is more than just removing wool — it’s about sheep health, comfort, and giving us a closer look at the flock. It’s always amazing to see the transformation from woolly sheep to freshly shorn ewes and lambs.