Beachburg, ON – Dave Mackay, President of the Renfrew County National Farmers Union states drought conditions have reached a major disaster point for area farmers and the rural economy in Renfrew County. The past weekend’s dry, hot conditions and blustery winds turned many areas in Renfrew County to almost desert like conditions.

Many parts of Eastern Ontario are dry, but it is noted that sections of Renfrew County unfortunately appear to be more parched than other areas. “It is very, very sad to take a drive in the country side and see the effects of this fast becoming one in one hundred year drought. Any amount of rain received from here on won’t regenerate the crops or hay for this year,” states Mackay.

Mackay also reported, “Farmers are telling me they are stressed, the animals are stressed and the water is depleting day by day.  There is a stress help line, farmers can call, but farmers need more!  They need financial help now as they don’t know how they will be able to pay their seeding bills or what they will feed their animals this winter.”

The National Famers Union’s mandate is to support and work on behalf all family farms. A drought of this caliber has the potential of leaving a lasting effect on family farms, agriculture related businesses and the community as a whole. The drought situation and financial short coming is not caused by the farmers’ own making, and therefore, we need to look after the long term needs of our farmers and community. That is the reason the Renfrew County NFU has already had a lengthy discussion with our MPP John Yakabuski and met with MP Cheryl Gallant.

In addition to those meetings, a group of farmers met last week and drafted recommendations for immediate disaster relief funding from both levels of government.  On a point of information, the federal government covered 60% of the emergency relief paid to farmers for crops lost in the 2010 Saskatchewan flood. The province of Saskatchewan covered the balance.

The recommendations proposed to both levels of government ask for immediate assistance to be paid to farmers on a per head basis for livestock and per acre for cash crops and market gardening. The proposal also outlined that if the per animal/per acre assistance were too cumbersome to administer, then a per acre pay out of emergency funds be made to all farmers as quickly as possible. Bridge Funding was also recommended, which would require the provincial government to guarantee loans to be processed by financial institutions and to be lent to those farmers in need as quickly as possible. Farmers would be required to repay the principle in due time.

The recommendations also suggested the above drought assistance for all farmers, both those with and without crop insurance. “Those who choose not to carry crop/hay, pasture insurance have their own reason for not participating and we cannot allow them to be left out,” stated Mackay.

In summary, other Renfrew County organizations, county councils and municipal councils have been requested to support the recommendations that the NFU has proposed. Renfrew County NFU, with the help from the provincial NFU branch, will be furthering this urgent call for immediate financial assistance.

Directors’ Meeting Minutes – July 12, 2012

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Beachburg, ON – Dave Mackay, President of the Renfrew County National Farmers Union reports the present drought situation is serious and almost to the point of becoming critical for area farmers.  Farmers had already expressed concern two weeks ago, however the situation has escalated to very critical during the last week with no relief in the long-range weather forecast.  It appears the areas most affected are Renfrew County and including Lanark, Hastings and Ottawa Carleton Counties.

Mackay went on to add, “This is a one in 50 year drought.  The last one recorded was in 1965 and it may not have been as severe so early in the growing season.  Lack of rain, very hot days and spurts of gusting winds have played havoc with corn crops and including soybeans, hemp, small grains and hay.  In addition, it appears most farmers are experiencing very dry pastures with some beef farmers having to resort to already feeding hay and it being only the middle of July.

Second cut hay fields are being cut with so little hay in the windrows that it is barely visible.  Some farmers are worried what may happen to the re-growth on these fields.  However, they appeared to have no other option at this time.

Local beef and hog farmers and some cash croppers were barely getting into a recovery mode after about eight years of below cost of production returns following the mad cow situation.  Now those same farmers are faced with another disaster.  In addition to feed supplies being affected, wells and watering holes are going dry.  Only a percentage of farmers carry hay and pasture insurance.  Tapping into that insurance program never covers all the losses involved.

“In summary, we want to advise our farmers that the NFU is taking action to advise our agricultural contacts of the seriousness of this exceptional dry weather affecting our family farms”, concluded Mackay.