Sask Ag Minister Will Seeks Compensation For Producers

The Agriculture Minister of Saskatchewan says you have to see it to believe it in regards to the amount of water lying on the province's cropland. He estimates close to 25% of the crop within the province will not get seeded, and crop already planted will be drowned out, which is why he is planning to discuss with the Federal Minister of Agriculture about further possible compensation for producers besides programs already in place, such as crop insurance.

"[Additional compensation for producers] is one of things we want to talk to the federal minister about and see if there is any opportunity, anything outside of crop insurance," said Bob Bjornerud, the Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister in a telephone interview. "And highlight the fact that we have a real problem in Saskatchewan and see if anything else can be done."

Bjornerud has been touring cropland in Saskatchewan since June 7. He says the worst areas are regions in the East- Central part of the province. He saw quarter sections 50% covered by water with 40 to 50 sloughs on the land.

"[The land is] so saturated right now and the water table is right up to the top. Unless it evaporates it has nowhere to go," said Bjornerud.

He also said that the conditions effect more than just Saskatchewan producers, but the province as a whole as much of the economy relies on agriculture.

"I know there is a lot of chemical and fertilizer dealers out there that are probably having some pretty sleepless nights after seeing the amount of crop not going into the ground," said Bjornerud.

During his tour of the province Bjornerud said the main concern producers had was for him to see the extent of the moisture and for him to bring it to the Federal Agricultural Ministers, Gerry Ritz's attention as well.

"To make sure [the Federal Minister] understands how bad it is [in Saskatchewan] and give him an invitation to come out and take and look at all the acres that are flooded out," said Bjornerud. "And get [the producer's] message across that we have some real problems in our agriculture sector this summer."