The incredible drought of 2021 in Western Canada will have a long-term impact on many farms and ranches, but fallout from trying to keep livestock in the breeding herd is impacting farmers out east, too.
Mary Robinson, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), says that while the total amount isn’t huge, farmers who provided or sold hay to western farmers and ranchers are still waiting to be paid — and that’s hurting other farmers.
Robinson explains the Hay West initiative did receive government funding, but only to cover the cost of freight to move the hay from as far as the east coast to the west. All the monies paid for hay went from farmer to farmer, and now some of those farmers are not getting paid.
The CFA led the Hay West initiative that resulted in 21 million pounds of hay being shipped to 160 producers in Western Canada. Robinson is hoping by calling on farmers to settle up these last invoices, the organization can close this chapter and make ready for the next challenge.
Check out the full conversation between Mary Robinson and RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney, below:
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