Dry conditions in many areas of the prairies remain an issue.

Weekly crop reports focus on the ongoing impact of the hot, dry conditions, which resulted in some seeds not germinating, and now the fact that crop stress could result in lower-than-expected yields.

In some cases, crop stress has resulted in some durum fields starting to head out at only ten inches tall.

Crops are maturing rapidly and in some areas are short and thin, as are some hay fields.

That's a key concern for livestock producers, especially for those producers who have been going through an extended drought.

On top of the feed concerns, some livestock producers are also concerned about water availability and quality in some dugouts.

Some timely and steady rain showers would help to improve the situation.

In the meantime, federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau says it's an issue they are monitoring.

"We are there to support. We have different programs that are all ready to be rolled out with the provinces. I think of Agri-Recovery for example, we've used that, unfortunately, many times. We wish we wouldn't need these types of insurance programs, but we do have them. And we have shown in recent years that we collaborate with the provinces very well."

With higher prices for cattle, the dry conditions, and the potential shortage of feed for livestock, some producers have started selling off animals.

For producers that may have been thinking about retiring in the near future, some have decided now's the time and are selling out.

In the past, the Federal Government has announced a Livestock Tax Deferral - which allows producers the opportunity to sell part of their breeding herd (due to the drought) and defer a portion of the sale proceeds to the following year when they would be looking at rebuilding their numbers.

It's still early and a lot can happen with the weather, but it's likely that could be a program governments may be bringing in.

With the dry conditions expanding in many areas of the prairies there's concern over the impact on crop yields for farmers.

In 2021, extreme heat and a lack of moisture at critical times during the growing season meant a substantial loss in crop yield and quality, which resulted in farmers having trouble fulfilling grain contracts.

Many producers ended up paying thousands of dollars to buy out the contracts. 

Last week, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan called on the Federal Agriculture Minister to move ahead with regulations to provide more protection for farmers signing grain contracts.

This after news that one company this year unilaterally cancelled contracts involving gluten-free oats when its buyer pulled out of the deal.

Bibeau says they are working on modernizing the Canada Grain Act and protection for farmers is a big part of what we are working on right now. 

"We are, you know, considering different options right now. So we will next fall. Politicians should never say a date, but my goal is to have a project to modernize the Canada Grain Act ready before the end of the year."

She notes while the proposal may be ready for the end of the year it will still take time to proceed.

To hear Glenda-Lee's conversation with federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau click on the link below.