Hot, dry summer causes financial and emotional stress for N.S. farmers

CITYnews halifax / By Rachel Morgan

As the dramatic impacts of a hot and dry summer rampage in the form of wildfires, Nova Scotians are beginning to see the ways in which the consequences trickle down. Farmers are increasingly needing to water their livestock and crops, or else risk losing their food production altogether.

“The province is experiencing some of the worst drought conditions in decades, creating difficult times on our farms. I am hearing first-hand from my farm visits across the province and associations that the pressures are tremendous, both financially and emotionally,” Greg Morrow, Minister of Agriculture, said in a statement.

Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia spoke to one farmer, Shelley McDermott, from TwinAitch Food for Thought, who said the conditions in 2025 have been unmatched.

“This is absolutely the worst and most stressful year we’ve ever had farming,” she said.

Scorched and cracking earth can make it nearly impossible to keep plants healthy, and can make planting late summer crops even more difficult. A lack of nutrients and hydration in the soil can also impact the quality of the procduce.

While it is difficult to say at this point the exact numerical impact of the loss, continued dry weather isn’t going to solve the problem anytime soon.

Data from earlier in the summer shows that rainfall was extremely lacking — roughly 60 per cent of normal levels. From April to the end of July, 270 millimetres of rain fell across the province, Agriculture Canada said. That compares to the average of 460 millimetres. The same report from the federal agency classifies much of the province as under moderate to severe drought.

Related:

• Nova Scotian blueberry industry hit hard by lack of rain
• Agriculture federation calls for further supports amid drought
• Province expands water program as farmers face dry weather

“Farmers are the backbone of communities across the province. They create jobs, support families and grow the food we need to grow and thrive,” Minister Morrow said. “I want to assure you that this is the beginning of our work.”

The Ministry has committed itself to collaborating with the federation, Perennia, the Nova Scotia Crop and Livestock Insurance Commission and the Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board to facilitate outreach and make sure farmers have access to the right people to ask questions about support and on-the-ground needs. It also says it is reaching out to federal partners to identify options for immediate assistance.

On Aug. 20, the province announced it would be providing farms with increased water supply.

That committed the province to an additional $475,000 under the On-Farm Water Management Program to support water projects like wells and ponds on farms.

“This year’s drought has emphasized just how critical reliable water access is to the success of our farms and the security of our food system,” Alicia King, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, said in a press release. “Many producers are doing everything they can to adapt, but the reality is that without adequate water infrastructure — wells, ponds, and other on-farm solutions — those efforts can only go so far.”

The Ministry is reminding farmers that drought is an insurable peril under crop insurance plans. Farmers can contact the Nova Scotia Crop and Livestock Insurance Commission office prior to making the decision to abandon or destroy crops.