Wildfires and grasshopper infestations have worsened drought conditions in the province, impacting livestock. The federal agriculture ministry said the investment will help cover producers' costs this year.
Saskatchewan will receive $77 million of the funds earmarked for the drought relief. David Marit, Saskatchewan's agriculture minister, said this would be helpful as the province has provided relief funding for producers since August.
"We want to try and preserve the breeding stock here in the province of Saskatchewan, and that's why this program is dedicated to the breeding stock for the livestock sector in the province of Saskatchewan," said Marit.
While the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities welcomed the drought relief, its president, Ray Orb, asserted that more measures were needed after a year of severe weather events.
"These severe kinds of events that we have now, especially in the Southwest part, demand a different kind of action, I think, on behalf of the federal government," said Orb.
Orb also said the organization intended to convene with the federal government to create more programs to help livestock producers, including irrigation expansion and improved insurance offerings.
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