The current flood in Manitoba is not only devastating to the people, but also to agriculture and livestock. Some of the best farmland in Canada is currenlty underwater by the forced release of water from the Assiniboine River. The Manitoba government felt that they had no choice but to make a cut and begin the intentional breech of the dike on the Assiniboine River near Portage La Prairie. They estimate there will be 150 homes swamped by the water.
There is no way to know what the damage will be to people's property, and for many their livelihoods. The efforts to save livestock will more than likely not be enough and thousands of beef & dairy cattle, sheep, hogs, and poultry will be lost. For the animals that will be managed to be saved, the debate of where they can stay, what they will eat, and who will feed them is still a big problem.
Manitoba has some of Canada's best farmland. But the main reason that it is so good is that this land is on a flood plain, and unfortunately, most of it will be lost too.
View the links below to get an in depth look at this crisis.
http://www.portageonline.com/
http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/features/flood2011/
Welcome! I am Keltey Whelan and I am an all around ag girl. I grew up with agriculture and have witnessed the impact of youth in this industry. We young people are the future of this great industry, and we are keeping it alive. We are all in this together- making a name for ourselves and becoming successful. So let's find our wings and set off in the agriculture world!
My family farm is situated north of the controlled breach of the dike in the RM of Portage la Prairie. Hopefully, this intentional flooding will lower the water level of the river adjacent to our land, although a voluntary evacuation notice has been given to my parents and brother. Many family members have pitched in to help others sandbag property that will be flooded, including my 76 year old dad! The area vegetable farmers will not be able to plant crops this year, nor will many of the grain and legume farmers; because even land that is not flooded is too water saturated to till. Government support is essential for these farmers to maintain their businesses and recover from a year where there will be no crop to sell. I am proud of the way my childhood community has banded together to support each other during this unprecedented event.
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