Disappointing rain forecast worrying for Sask. farmers

Rain that was forecast over the weekend fell short of expectations.

According to Environment Canada, Regina did not see any of it at all.

In Ituna, Adrienne Ivey was one of the lucky ones. The beef farmer said there was some moisture in her area.

However, Ivey told the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Monday that that has been the exception and that over the long term, it has been dry.

“We rely heavily on our pastures and hay land. There has been almost no forage production or grass production this year at all,” Ivey said.

“So it has definitely been a stressful thing trying to figure out how we’re going to keep our cattle fed not only for the summer but over the winter months as well.”

Dusty Hunter from Shaunavon said the drought has lasted for a while.

“It has been a long couple of years, in fact. We have been shy of moisture now for longer than anyone here would like to think about,” Hunter said.

Ivey said she has already started selling off part of her herd because she’s unsure if she can feed all the animals.

“Oh, we’ve been in panic mode for the past few weeks here,” she said.

For her, the silver lining is she isn’t alone in feeling anxious, waiting for the skies to open.

“We are one big family and it definitely feels better knowing there are other people going through the same stress you are,” she said.