Farm groups such as the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) have lobbied the government this past month to get cardlock fuel included in the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (GGPPA) exemption and it looks like they’re close to the finish line.

In the release of the federal budget, the government announced it’s looking into extended relief for areas not included in the original carbon pricing backstop system including cardlock fuel for farmers.

“We are glad to see that the federal government has listened to our concerns and is taking steps to fix this problem,” Todd Lewis, president of APAS told RealAgriculture.

The proposed change suggests farmers would have to certify the fuel they are using from the cardlock is used exclusively in the operation of eligible farming machinery and farming activities. However, as cardlock pumps are usually unattended, the government still needs more consultation on the matter.

“We encourage all Saskatchewan producers to get in touch with their bulk fuel provider, to make sure that they have the correct paperwork in place before the Carbon Tax comes into effect on April 1st. Although we have made progress on this particular issue, APAS will continue to fight the Carbon Tax on behalf of Saskatchewan’s farmers and ranchers,” Lewis added.

Public comments for the proposed changes are needed and can be sent by email by clicking here before April 19. According to APAS, if the revision is approved, it would be retroactive to April 1 which is when the carbon tax comes into effect.

As a side note, if you haven’t already, click here to find the form needed to access the CRA form for the GGPPA act to be exempt from the carbon tax.

A confluence of weather events came together in some Midwestern States last week which is causing emotional, physical and financial devastation. A weather ‘cyclone bomb’ with barometric lows most often seen in hurricanes, exploded over a large swath of the U. S. bringing rain, onto snow covered, frozen ground which could not absorb the moisture causing historic flooding.

At a news conference on Wednesday, Nebraska Governor, Pete Ricketts told reporters the damage in the state alone is approaching $1 billion and the number continues to climb . There is now an inland ocean moving it’s way downstream, eating up everything in it’s path.

“The flooding is just devastating,” Ricketts told reporters.

In addition to crop loss which is estimated at $440 million, an estimated $400 million worth of livestock have been destroyed.

A few photos I shot south of Pacific Junction, Iowa, on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/knnWkTmgKF

— Chris Clayton (@ChrisClaytonDTN) March 18, 2019

Compounding the problem is a confluence of other events, not weather related. The ongoing trade war with China has resulted in poor movement of commodities, especially soybeans. Farmers and grain companies have been storing soybeans in hopes that the trade relationship would improve and prices might go up. For many farmers much of this stored grain has now been destroyed.

With spring arriving this week, many farmers are wondering just how they will seed a crop. Even if the water recedes and the land becomes fit enough to work, seed will have to be available and equipment ready to go into the field.

pic.twitter.com/VNqz5IU6XC

— Brandon Ritter (@BrandonRitter7) March 16, 2019

Although this has been a tragic past few weeks, there are some feel good stories starting to emerge. One being the Nebraska National Guard pulling of its mission of ‘Operation Prairie Hay Drop’. Watch for yourself, below.