Heading into spring, ground conditions are looking dry for the southwest corner of the province.

Melissa Atchison is a cattle producer near Pipestone, as well as VP with the Manitoba Beef Producers.  She shares some concerns cattle producers are facing over the next few months if the skies don’t open up with rain or snow.

Melissa Atchison

“We were quite dry heading into fall and haven’t had much snow, so to speak, and so we’re sitting in pretty dry conditions heading into spring,” shares Atchinson  “We’re hoping for some more snow or some rain that will come at the right time to fill those dugouts.”

“Certainly, dry pastures will be a concern, and grass coming on late could be a concern.  Luckily, we’ve had a pretty mild winter so feed supplies are looking okay and can stretch out if we have a dry spring but it would certainly be nice if we got some moisture just for that grass to have a jump.”

Without adequate moisture producers may have to transport water.  “Hauling water is an option, it’s never a fun option,” she says. “It’s tough to do. It takes a lot of resources and takes a lot of time and its expensive.  So, we’re definitely hoping for some adequate moisture here to fill these dugout to have that instead.”

Otherwise, market prices are fairly stable says Atchison.  “Things are looking optimistic,” she says. “Feed grain prices are quite high but the market prices have really rallied in the past couple of weeks. So, that’s been exciting.”

Trevor and Melissa Atchison are cattle producers near Pipestone, MB. Trevor is a four generation rancher and together with his wife and family, and parents, Lloyd & Joan Atchison, they own and operate Poplarview Stock Farm.