B.C. Cattlemen’s Association urging provincial cooperation as lingering drought, high costs challenge ranchers

The BC Cattlemen’s Association says low snow cover, below-normal precipitation and warmer spring temperatures are to blame for this year’s widespread drought conditions. It notes with the exception of the Peace region, all areas of B.C. are experiencing moderate to severe dry conditions.

“It’s a repetitive thing and certainly with potential climate change in the works, that’s not helping things,” Stump added. “We’re seeing bigger swings in weather, more so than what we’ve had in the past.”

The Kamloops-based organization is calling on the province to invest in watershed management, noting stored water helped improve flows during dry seasons, while also helping to recharge groundwater aquifers.

“Agriculture owns about 70 per cent of the dams in the province,” Stump said. “It buffers the extreme flows in the spring and has the potential to add to late-season flows when we really need it in July and August.”

“There’s no question that it’s the right thing to do on the landscape.”

Lingering drought is one reason why prices are high as ranchers in some of the worst affected areas of B.C. have had to sell up to 40 per cent of their herds due to the lack of pasture and feed shortages. That’s led to lower supply of beef but demand remains high.

“This year, I think, is probably the worst we’ve had,” Paul Devick, the owner of Devick Ranch near Heffley Creek, said. “Last year was a little bit dry, but it wasn’t as bad as what it could have faced. We’re hauling water and we’re rationing irrigation water right now. That’s probably our biggest issue looking forward – and then, of course, the threat of fires.”

Devick is thankful people are still eating beef these days, as those added transportation costs come at a time when many ranches are also dealing with high costs of fertilizer and this year especially, the high price of fuel.

“It hits us a little extra hard because we use so much,” Devick added. “We’re in the process of planting our crops right now and tractors are running full bore and yeah, fuel is getting swallowed up. Fertilizer, as well. Everything is getting more expensive, hence food prices are going up.”

Devick remains optimistic for more spring rain before the peak summer heat this year, though he noted it’ll only be a start.

“If it rains all of June, we could be back to good water levels again, but that doesn’t help our irrigation reservoirs or anything,” he said. “At this point in time, its looking pretty grim.”

The BC Cattlemen’s Association is also hoping for more proactive solutions to lower the impact of the impending drought. They’re calling on conservation groups, First Nations and local governments to add their voice to this issue, noting these dams – some of which are nearing the end of their service lives – are critical to supporting long-term watershed resilience.

“We can do some band-aid fixes like tightening up on water use and what not for the short term, but that is truly just a band-aid,” Stump said. “It’s not addressing the root of the issue and that is what’s going on on the landscape and how we can help hold water back.”

“These dams are a big part of that.”

by Victor Kaisar

B.C. Cattlemen’s Association urging provincial cooperation as lingering drought, high costs challenge ranchers

Our Community