WINNIPEG Manitoba cattle farmers are reaching a breaking point after extreme drought and an influx of grasshoppers ruined their crops and pastures. The Strick Farm has been in the family for generations, but it is facing new challenges this year. Grasshoppers have come through and cleaned out for us. The pastures are just as bad, said Gord Strick, who runs the farm. Everything has browned off. There s no feed, there s no pasture. Strick s fields are so burnt, even the grasshoppers are starting to starve, not to mention his cattle. It s something he said he has never dealt with in his decades on the farm.
Author of the article: Josh Aldrich
Publishing date: Apr 30, 2021 • April 30, 2021 • 4 minute read • A cow keeps a close eye on her calf as it nurses on an Alberta farm. Overall the Canadian beef industry is responsible for 2.4% of the national emissions versus the national transportation industry at 28%. The beef sector is also constantly working to be better. According to research out of the University of Manitoba and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Lethbridge, Canada produced 32% more beef in 2011 than 1981 on 24% less land, produced 15% less greenhouse gases and required 17% less water. Photo by RANDY VANDERVEEN /Postmedia Network
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Tyler Fulton, a cattle producer from Birtle and president of Manitoba Beef Producers.
All signs are pointing to a year of drought, pushing some farmers to take mitigative actions to lessen its impact. Because it’s so dry right now, you don’t want it to come down in torrents over a couple hours because that doesn’t have an ability to soak in it’ll flow away, Pipestone-area cattle farmer Melissa Atchison said.
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Manitoba Beef Producers vice-president Melissa Atchison is seen with her cattle.
Consistent rain spread over the course of a couple days would be a great start, she added.
WINNIPEG Manitoba isn t prepared for an outbreak of animal illness, according to a new report from the auditor general. The audit report found the province has taken steps to prevent animal disease emergencies, but preparation efforts have been inadequate. It s a worrying find for Dale Myhre, who has been raising cattle in Crane River for the last 40 years. Working with his sons, the family ranch has about 600 heads of cattle. Among many challenges like animal wellness, land disputes and weather, Myhre also worries about animal illnesses. It would only take a small amount to devastate farmers livelihoods and curtail the amount of good food available to everyone, he said.