West Quebec farmers say they’ve passed the point where nature can save them and will need government help to avoid major losses this season.
Dozens of farmers gathered in Luskville Tuesday night for an information session on how to minimize the impact of this year’s drought, but came away talking about how only immediate aid will save their bottom line.
“We're going to need money for sure . . . and not in two to three months - right now, because we're going to need money to get the hay,” said Blake Draper.
“They've offered to bring water, but problem is where to do you put it . . . if there's no water in the ground now, the water you dump into that hole is just going to leech back out.”
Danis Dubeau said he’s already had to sell some of his cows because he can’t afford to feed them, while hay producers aren’t waiting for the weather to turn.
“If we don't have the money to buy the hay, we won't be able to buy,” he said. “A lot of producers are not going to wait until December, they're going to sell right away.
“(We’re) hoping to get more money for the transportation of the hay, I think that's our main goal we're working on.”
Both Quebec and Ontario have asked the federal government to see if drought-stricken regions can get help from the AgriRecovery program, but farmers also hope that decision is a swift one.
“They’re saying ‘We’re going to look at the problem,’” Draper said. “Well, looking at the problem and solving the problem may take too long (for a lot of farmers).”
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Claudia Cautillo
