The British Columbia government is stepping in to help farmers and ranchers as fires and floods in Western Canada create extreme shortages in feed for animals.

The Ministry of Agriculture has announced a new access to feed plan, connecting farmers and those growing the hay or grain, along with financial help through the federal and provincial AgriStability program.

Kevin Boon, with the BC Cattlemen’s Association, agrees that a shortage means the cost of feed will go up, but sourcing it is more important as an animal welfare issue, and farmers don’t want to have to sell their female cattle, considered their base herd.

Farmers registered with the AgriStability program will be able to access grants to pay for the added cost of feed, while the government has also extended the registration period for the program to allow others to join.

B.C. rancher Suzanne Fradette, who owns a herd of 140 head, says her bill for hay is going to be about $100,000 this year, about 30 per cent higher compared with other years.

There are almost 500 fires burning in the province, with most of the province at either drought Level 4 or 5, when all efforts should be made to conserve water and protect river flows.