On Wednesday, the province announced plans to lower the yield appraisal threshold for cereal and pulse crops giving producers an opportunity to use poor crops as livestock feed.

Farmers in some areas of the Southwest and West Central part of the province have been experiencing hot, dry conditions that have taken a toll on crops. 

Crops extension specialist Shannon Chant works out of the Ministry of Agriculture office in Swift Current.

She says crops in the region are quite variable with things being a little bit earlier in some areas.

"I've seen some canola that looks like it's just about done flowering. Our crops are shorter and maybe the canopies aren't as thick."

She says while we did have some moisture early on it's been hot since mid-May which is causing some stress on the crop.

After the last several years of ongoing drought conditions in the area, the RM of Gull Lake has officially declared a state of local emergency.

The RM noted that crops are burning up, pasture land is under stress, some hay crops are nonexistent and they've seen a dwindling water supply in area dugouts.

With the hot, dry conditions grasshoppers have been an issue with the insects hatching early and finding their way into crops.

In some areas between the grasshoppers and the drought, there's not much crop, hay or pasture left to salvage.

Agriculture Minister David Marit says we are seeing dry pockets and grasshopper damage throughout the province, particularly in the southwest.

"We are committed to supporting our farmers and ranchers to lessen the impact of these challenging conditions, and I want to encourage crop producers to again work with neighbouring livestock producers to make feed available. "

Marit says the same initiative was implemented in 2021 and resulted in over 345,000 acres of additional crop being redirected to feed.

The low-yield appraisal threshold program falls under Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation.

Lorelei Hulston, SCIC's acting vice-president of operations says the low yield appraisal threshold is the point where the yield on the crop is so low that they don't put an appraisal on the crop. 

"We call the yield zero on those acres because the cost to harvest the crop is basically equal to the value that's remaining. This year like we did in 2021. we're doubling those low yield appraisal thresholds, so there'll be for each crop twice as high as their original low yield appraisal."

For example, the 2023 threshold level for oats is 10 bushels per acre. With a doubled low-yield appraisal, the threshold increases to 20 bushels per acre for a producer intending to utilize the oats for feed. 

The claim is determined using a zero-bushel yield and the original 20-bushels appraised yield is used to update future Crop Insurance coverage.

The threshold appraisal level will vary depending on the crop.

Marit notes this incentive allows crop producers to make timely decisions to make the additional feed available.

Producers are reminded to contact their regional SCIC office at least five days prior to turning salvage crops over to graze, bale or silage.

Another program for livestock producers is the 2023 Crown Grazing Lease Rental Reduction Program, lessees may be eligible for a rent reduction in situations where individual lessees or pasture associations must reduce stocking rates on leases by 20 per cent or more below the rated carrying capacity of their leased grazing land. Eligible lessees will have the 2023 grazing rent reduced by 20 to 50 per cent.

To help manage the challenges associated with dry conditions, AgriStability participants may apply for the interim benefit option to access a portion of their 2023 benefit early. Producers enrolled in AgriStability for the 2023 year can access 50 per cent of their estimated final benefit. Also, in most cases, the additional expenses a producer incurs to procure additional feed is an eligible expenses through the AgriStability Program.  

And just a reminder that producers that may be struggling and need someone to talk to can reach out to the Farm Stress Line for support. 

The Farm Stress Line is a confidential service, available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, toll-free at 1-800-667-4442. Calls are answered by Mobile Crisis Services Regina, a non-profit, community-based agency and there is no call display.

To hear Glenda-Lee's full conversation with  SCIC's acting vice-president of operations Lorelei Hulston click on the link below.