N.S. farmer considers selling some of her livestock due to drought

Nova Scotia·New​A farmer in Kennetcook, N.S., says she is considering selling some of her animals because of all the unexpected costs drought has brought her business, including the cost of hauling water and extra food. Hauling water, extra feed among additional costs Crystal Joyce Manning doesn’t want to sell some of her animals, but might have to due to the effects of drought. (Crystal Joyce Manning)​A farmer in Stanley, N.S., says she is considering selling some of her animals because of the unexpected costs the drought has created for her business.Crystal Joyce Manning is the co-owner of Evangeline Trail Rides. She has around 100 beef cattle and 40 saddle horses. She’s been hauling water to the farm since June.But lack of rain has diminished grazing land. That’s forced her to use some of her winter feed.With costs piling up, she says she might have to sell some of her animals.“They’re not just livestock, they’re our family,” said Manning.Danny Bruce, co-owner of a grass-fed beef operation near Bridgetown, is seeing a similar situation. Like Manning, Bruce relies on hay grown on his own land to feed his 50 cows. This year, the drought has caused significant disruptions in the forage quality, particularly the second cut of hay, which is essential for fattening up the cows. He says this may have an impact on price since he can’t absorb all the extra costs of having to buy extra feed or wait longer for the cows to grow to their preferred size. “I think one of the problems is that people take food for granted,” said Bruce. “But not a lot of people are conscious of how climate change is affecting our food supply.” Manning says she has about 40 horses. (Crystal Joyce Manning)The drought has reached the most intense category in the national scale in some areas of the province, making it a once-in-50 year event. Manning says she has tried everything to revitalize the grasslands, but she hasn’t had any success. “We even spread some manure here probably about three weeks ago.,” she said “And it’s just like sawdust on the land. It didn’t seep into the land.” The Canadian Drought Monitor reports that this event will have lasting effects. The soil is experiencing extended dryness that is now inhibiting water absorption.The Canadian Drought Monitor’s map shows the intensity of drought in all provinces and territories except Nunavut. (Canadian Drought Monitor)Bruce says he has been lucky enough that he at least has enough hay to feed his animals over the winter. “So nobody’s going to go hungry, but they may not grow as big as fast as I would like,” he said, adding that prices for other goods may increase as farmers grapple with the impact of the drought on their livestock and crops.Manning says it’s time for farmers to talk to each other to stay informed in the face of unprecedented weather conditions. “We’re all farmers and we’re all in this,” she said. “The agriculture family is a big family.” MORE TOP STORIES ABOUT THE AUTHORGiuliana is a journalist originally from Lima, Peru. She is interested in stories about rural Nova Scotia, science, the environment and more. If you have any story tips, you can reach her at giuliana.grillo.de.lambarri@cbc.ca.