Farmers worried about lack of snow, moisture for 2024: SARM president

The lack of snow or moisture is sounding alarm bells for farmers in the province.

Ray Orb, the president of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), spoke with guest host Taylor MacPherson on the Evan Bray Show on Thursday morning.

Orb said he has heard from many farmers and producers in Saskatchewan who are worried about the moisture shortage due to dry weather patterns.

“We need some real good heavy rain in the spring,” Orb said. “If you are a farmer or a rancher right now, I think you’ll be a little pessimistic because of the fact that we’ve had quite a few dry years in some parts of the province.”

Despite the dry spell, Orb is optimistic for the new year. He thinks lots of farmers are hoping for some wet spring weather that could bring moisture levels back to normal.

“Some producers have told me they have a little bit of moisture to get the crop growing (but) what happens after that is up to Mother Nature,” he told MacPherson.

Orb has heard concerns from farmers who are just hoping they will have enough water for their livestock in 2024. Melting snow is often used to help replenish wells.

But while dry conditions are bringing bad news for agriculture, Orb said it has been positive in other ways. Communities are saving some dollars by leaving the snow removal equipment in storage.

“If you are looking at it from a road maintenance point of view, from the RM’s point of view, the lack of snow this time of year is the savings in the budget that they forecast,” Orb said.

“I’m sure that they would have moved a lot of snow in a normal year, but it’s a big concern to the farming community for sure.”

According to Orb, communities are struggling with the carbon tax and high diesel fuel prices. The president said SARM is working to convince the federal government to exempt municipalities from the carbon tax, though he said that hasn’t yielded any returns yet.