As little as 25 per cent of crops could survive the season in Renfrew County – that’s what happens when you’ve seen 77 days with less than half a millimetre of rain.
Farmers said even if the rainfall picks up, it will be too late for most crops.
“The rain that we’re seeing right now will have a minimum impact, I think,” said Paul Moreau of recent light showers.
“It’s not going to help our livestock situation at all,” said Ray Pender, also a county councillor who is in charge of monitoring water levels.
He said it would take at least two inches of rain to start plants growing again, with an additional inch of rain per week to keep it going.
As of right now, 25 per cent of plants would survive, 25 per cent would die outright and the rest would produce lower-quality crops only if there’s enough rainfall.
“It’s pretty grim,” Pender said. “It’s going to have a large impact on the producers in the county.”
Ontario agriculture minister Ted McMeekin is expected to tour the area next week, but Premier Dalton McGuinty said there are no plans for new financial help yet.
"We have risk management programs in place, I fully expect that some Ontario farmers are going to need to call on those resources," McGuinty said.
Moreau said the future is looking ever bleaker for county farmers.
“The programs in place are not adequate enough to meet the current circumstances,” he said.
“If you’re going to farm . . . a farmer always has hope, but they’re starting to (lose hope).”
Both the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and Renfrew County have maintained Level 2 drought conditions, meaning there are no mandatory water restrictions in effect but residents are asked to cut back by 20 per cent.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Catherine Lathem
