Kenney optimistic, but farm supports in place should drought continue

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on May 13, 2022.

Herald photo by ALejandra Pulido-Guzman Premier Jason Kenney speaks during a stop this week in Lethbridge.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

During his visit to Lethbridge on Wednesday, Premier Jason Kenney spoke to the media about various topics which included the agriculture sector.
When asked about the options the province has in place to support the agriculture industry, especially local farmers in case of another hot, dry summer, Kenney said there is a full suite of programs available to support farmers, both grains and oil seeds as well as livestock producers.
“Last summer for example, when livestock producers were facing extreme prices because of the dry weather, we stepped up with a per head grant for livestock cattle across Alberta that helped them to cover some of those extraordinary costs,” said Kenney.
He said farmers also have crop insurance and they paid premiums into that.
“Last year there were very considerable insurance payments out to farmers who suffered very low yields because of dry weather, so those programs are there,” said Kenney.
He said Agriculture Minister Nate Horner is constantly working with producer groups to improve and refine those programs.
“We will be there to provide support should it be necessary, but so far early signs are fairly good across most of the province, we had some decent moisture this spring even in some of the driest parts of the province, so I want to be optimistic,” said Kenney.

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