Nicola Valley ranchers worried about flood support delays as freshet approaches

KAMLOOPS — The $228 million dollars in provincial and federal funding promised to farmers and ranchers is the largest agriculture disaster support in BC’s history.

Farmers impacted by November’s floods are eligible, but one Nicola Valley cattle rancher says it comes up short.

“I wish that there had been something specific in there for fencing or cattle handling facilities. Our operation alone, rough and dirty numbers, we lost close to half a million dollars worth of fencing that we had in place,” says Rhonda MacDonald, co-owner of Bar FX Ranch.

MacDonald is concerned about how long it will take to get the funding. She says properties in the Nicola Valley are at risk for further damage with spring freshet right around the corner.

“We needed it in December. Sadly, the ground is thawing now. Our window to do any of our river work that needs to be done, our window is rapidly closing as the water levels get higher,” she said.

Agriculture Minister Lana Popham says the province has hired more staff to help speed up the process of administering the funds. The BC Cattlemen’s Association says the money is expected to cover uninsured losses like infrastructure, irrigation equipment and freshet protection.

“It’s going to cover some of the cost for shoring up those river banks and making it so that the freshet and the other flooding activities stabilize and make sure that what is there remains there,” said Kevin Boon, General Manager at the BC Cattlemen’s Association.

However, many Nicola Valley ranches live along the Nicola River and, because they’re on a flood plane, they do not qualify for insurance.

“We need a place to draw our water from and the Nicola River is convenient,” explained MacDonald.

“Some of us have water licenses, including us, dating back to the 1800s, so this isn’t anything new that we irrigate directly out of the river. with that does come a price, in that, we are unable to — we don’t qualify for overland flooding insurance,” she said.

Boon says the government has to co-operate with insurance providers to provide financial aid.

“In order to get a recovery program like this that is financed by government, they have to be very careful that they do not step on the insurance companies toes and their ability to sell insurance. Unfortunately, some of these things that were insurable, they’re not going to get covered for,” he explained.

“In lots of ways… we are starting over again,” said MacDonald.

The MacDonald ranch lost three pump houses, estimated at around $75,000 each.

The underground irrigation system, some land, cattle and perennial hay crops were lost. She says the funding announcement has given her hope, but she has a long way to go.

“We have three properties which make up our whole ranch. The damage alone on our home property alone is estimated at over $2 million,” she said.

For more information on the support for farmers and ranchers, click here.