District cattlemen may have to pay up to three times as much for veterinary services on their farms if the province does not renew the current subsidy program due to expire at the end of March.
Kim Jo-Bliss told the annual meeting of the Rainy River Cattemen’s Association last week in Stratton that the current program, which is funded through the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, actually had expired Dec. 31, 2003.
But it was extended until March 31, 2004 while a review of the program is undertaken by the ministry.
Local ag rep Gary Sliworsky said the study was completed more than a year ago and that the MNDM has done nothing since with the recommendations.
Bliss said district cattlemen would like to see the program continue, stressing they could not afford the ensuing vet bills if it was eliminated.
“Farmers would have to pay three times the mileage for the vet if the program were gone,” she noted.
Presently, district communities—both organized and unorganized—contribute funds to the RRCA to provide $1,000 in local money used to seed the MNDM program.
Local cattleman Doug Hartnell asked if Rainy River had paid its share of the $1,000. Bliss replied they did not pay last year nor this year.
“Their argument is that there are no cattle in town,” she added.
Rainy River’s share is $150 per year—considerably lower than Emo’s 35¢ per capita.
“Beef producers spend a lot of money in Rainy River,” noted cattleman Andrew Brumwell, who lives just north of there. He also noted several beef farmers have retired in recent years and chose to live in Rainy River, where they again spend a lot of money as well as taxes.
Cattleman Archie Wiersema said he spoke to Rainy River’s new mayor, Glen Armstrong, and was assured the town will pay both last year and this year’s share.
Mayor Armstrong confirmed that late last week while at the Rainy River Record office.
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
