Emergency Drought Situation 2012: A Resource Portal for Farmers

Transcription

1 Emergency Drought Situation 2012: A Resource Portal for Farmers Due to the drought effecting parts of Ontario, Quebec and various areas across Canada, Farm Management Canada has created a list of resources to help farmers navigate through the help available along with news and updates. If something is missing from our list, please let us know help us to help the struggling farmers. Drought Watch Agriculture & Agri Food Canada The Drought Watch site provides an overview of the risk of drought throughout Canada. Our goal is to: provide timely information of the impacts of climatic variability on water supply and agriculture and promote practices that reduce drought vulnerability and improve management during a drought. The impact of climatic variability on the environment is of great importance to the agricultural sector in Canada. Monitoring the impacts on water supplies, soil degradation and agricultural production is essential to the preparedness of a region in dealing with possible drought conditions. During drought or excess moisture and flood conditions, the Livestock Tax Deferral Program can help designated areas manage risk. Drought Management Information: Drought management articles to help you prepare for and manage your crops, livestock and land during drought conditions. Climate profiles provide historical precipitation and grasshopper forecasts. Provincial links for additional resources in drought management. Related links pertaining to climate and crop reports. Help in managing farm stress offered in each province.

2 AgPal A web based discovery tool developed by Agriculture and Agri food Canada (AAFC) to help producers and others in the agriculture and agri business sector find the federal, provincial and territorial programs and services that specifically apply to them. Federal Programs: The Business Risk Management Suite Business Risk Management programs under Growing Forward have been designed based on ideas put forward by producers. They are simple, responsive, predictable and bankable. The programs work together by providing protection for different types of losses, as well as cash flow options: AgriInvest is a savings account for producers, supported by governments, which provides coverage for small income declines and allows for investments that help mitigate risks or improve market income. AgriStability provides support when a producer experiences larger farm income losses. The program covers declines of more than 15% in a producer's average income from previous years. AgriRecovery is a disaster relief framework which provides a coordinated process for federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond rapidly when disasters strike, filling gaps not covered by existing programs. AgriInsurance is an existing program which includes insurance against production losses for specified perils (weather, pests, disease) and is being expanded to include more commodities. Advance Payments Program (APP) is a complementary program to the Business Risk Management suite. It helps crop and livestock producers with cash flow and provides flexibility for marketing of commodities. Source: Agriculture and Agri Food Canada Growing Forward, a federal provincial territorial initiative. Drought will up food costs News Articles Drought pushes farmers to sell livestock Drought imperils eastern Canada crops Worst US drought since 1956 hits residents and crops U.S. drought good news for Alberta grain farmers, bad news for ranchers U.S. Midwest remains in grips of worse drought in half a century, food inflation to rise Crops, herds in danger because of drought Spectre of drought in Ontario motivates aid request

3 We will contact the federal government again if needed Ag minister takes first hand look at drought damage Feed shortage may prompt Indiana dairymen to cut back OFA: Volatile Weather One Reason Farmers Need Risk Management Dry Conditions & Low Water Resources OMAFRA Resources Hardcopies of publications can be ordered through ServiceOntario: Online at ServiceOntario Publications. By phone through the ServiceOntario Contact Centre Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (TTY) Toll free across Canada TTY Toll free across Ontario In person at ServiceOntario Centres located throughout the province. MAPAQ (French only) MAPAQ Resources Press Release from MAPAQ Concerning Drought Situation in Quebec (French only) Press Release from MAPAQ Drought in the Pontiac Measures that are being Taken (French only) 200, chemin Sainte Foy Québec (Québec) G1R 4X6 Téléphone : Sans frais : MAPA (6272)

4 Agricorp Production Insurance (PI) PI protects Ontario producers from yield reductions and crop losses caused by factors beyond their control such as adverse weather, disease, wildlife and insect infestations. Depending on the plan, coverage is available on a total yield, dollar value, or acreage loss basis. Producers can choose the type and level of coverage that best meets their needs. In Ontario coverage is currently available for many crops including forage, fresh vegetables, fruit and honey, grain and oilseeds, processing vegetables, specialty crops and tobacco. Contact: Agricorp Toll free: E mail: contact@agricorp.com More Information: Production Insurance La Financière agricole ASRA The Farm Income Stabilization Insurance (ASRA) program pays to the farm businesses a compensation when the average selling price is lower than the stabilized income. The stabilized income is based on the production cost set through surveys that are conducted among specialized farm businesses in every sector; it is re evaluated annually. Source: AgPal Farm Stress Information Someone to Talk to is Only a Click or a Phone Call Away Several counseling services now exist to help farm and rural families manage stress. The services listed below can help you in your time of need. All inquiries are kept confidential. Hours of operation vary from business hours during week days to 24 hour service. National Agriculture and Agri Food Canada Farm Debt Mediation Service (Farm Financial Counseling) Provincial British Columbia: Crisis counsellors available through 911 service Alberta: Handling Stress in Rural Alberta Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta Canadian Mental Health Association: Alberta Division

5 Saskatchewan: Farm Stress Line Manitoba: Farm and Rural Stress Line Ontario: Distress Centres Ontario o The Farm Line Quebec: Contact your Local Community Service Centre (French Only) New Brunswick: Crisis counsellors available through 911 service Nova Scotia: Farm Safety o Farm Family Support Centre Prince Edward Island: PEI Farmer Counselling Program o The Farmer Assistance Program Newfoundland and Labrador: Eastern Health Source: Agriculture and Agri Food Canada Industry Links Agriculture and Agri Food Canada Centre de référence en agriculture et agroalimentaire du Québec (CRAAQ) (French only) L union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) Farm Credit Canada (FCC)