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Hay West 2021 Initiative receives federal funding

Posted on December 29, 2021 by Sunny South News

By Jaxon McGinn
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Sunny South News

Farmers are helping their fellow producers by sending much-needed feed for livestock.

The drought across Western Canada and Northern Ontario alongside the flooding and landslides in British Columbia have created feed shortages.

Despite these challenges, many have stepped up in solidarity to help their fellow farmers and ranchers from across the country.

The Hay West 2021 Initiative has already seen millions of pounds of feed transported to needed areas.

Federal Agriculture and Agri- Food Minister, Marie-Claude Bibeau, said an additional $3 million would be provided to help offset the freight costs of transporting hay.

In September, the government approved $1 million, which went towards transporting roughly 150 shipments or 5.6 million pounds of hay to feed 16,750 cattle.

“The past year for our producers has been marked by numerous challenges related to climate change. They have demonstrated great strength of character, the willingness to rebuild, extraordinary resilience, and exceptional solidarity. They could rely on each other and our government, no matter where they were in the country, making it easier for everyone to bounce back. By investing in Hay West, our government is bolstering the solidarity that unites our agricultural producers,” said Bibeau in a press release.

All donations go directly to paying the transportation costs for moving hay across Canada, and the logistical support needed. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) has sent over 5.5 million pounds of hay out west, but the demand is excellent, and more funding is needed to send as much hay as possible over the coming months.

Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) general manager, Chad MacPherson, said the additional funds to cover transportation costs are welcome news for the producers that can receive the feed.

“It certainly does provide some support at a time when producers are looking around for feed this time of year. Any additional feed that we can bring into the prairies is welcome,” MacPherson said. “Anything that we can bring in from other locations, whether that’s corn from the United States or hay from Eastern Canada, that all helps producers to put together rations for the winter.”

MacPherson said it all goes a long way to help producers keep their animals through the

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