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Situation ‘dire’ around Kindersley
July 10, 2009
Some rain has fallen on Saskatchewan, and across the Prairies, but in Kindersley, what little has fallen has not been very helpful in alleviating the near disaster-like conditions taking shape.
July 10, 2009 By Regina Leader-Post
July 10, 2009
Joanne Paulson
Even after a few millimetres of rain in the last 10 days, it's so dry around Kindersley that Glen Harrison has been considering declaring the area a disaster zone.
The problem with that, says the reeve of the rural municipality, is "there's no financial benefit to declaring a disaster area." It's basically an exercise in public awareness.
Harrison says some crops in the Kindersley area are two months behind. The canola crop is non-existent and 90 per cent of the stubble-seeded crops are beyond hope.
"There is a dire situation out here. It's not just a bunch of farmers crying about it," said Harrison in an interview.
The Regional Municipality of Kindersley has received about 50 milimetres of rain since last August, and most of it has come in the last two weeks. There were no fall rains, followed by no snow and no spring rains, said Harrison. What has fallen recently is mainly too little, much too late.
That being said, the recent rain has greened the fields somewhat, and if the frost stays away, there may be a wheat crop, said Harrison.
"Maybe the cattle operator may breathe a little easier," said Harrison, since the rain should bring on a crop for green feed.
Despite the extremely dry conditions, most people did seed, added Harrison.
"I would think seeded acreage is down 25 per cent just because of the drought. But to qualify for crop insurance, you have to seed," he said.
It would be useful to revisit agriculture support programs to deal with situations like this, said Harrison.
