Vancouver Island farm sending hay to B.C. ranches suffering from wildfires, drought
It's been a brutal summer for B.C. farmers and ranchers due to wildfires and intense drought.
Now, a Vancouver Island farmer is trying his best to help those who are struggling to get feed for their livestock in other parts of the province.
Saanichton farmer Bryce Rashleigh is sitting on a mountain of hay, with nothing to do with it.
"I've got feed, but I don't have animals," he told CTV News on Tuesday.
On the mainland, many ranchers have the opposite problem. They have plenty of animals, but no feed.
"For many of them up there, the drought was part of the problem, then the fires," said Rashleigh. "Some of them – pastures have dried right up, then the fires came."
On Tuesday morning, Rashleigh was packing up his ninth load of hay that will be sent to the mainland, with calls for hay coming from Merritt, B.C. to Swift Current, Sask.
It's hay that one rancher, who has cattle on both Vancouver Island and in Kamloops, says is sorely needed.
"Our grass has not grown since the third week of June, so our cattle have got nothing to eat because of the drought," said rancher Brian Dorman.
Dorman says the support being sent to the region is felt and appreciated by those working in the agriculture industry.
"There's so many nice people that have done everything to help people and it's so appreciated," he said.
That help comes at a cost, however.
Island resident Leslie James has donated to help cover the freight costs of transporting hay to the mainland.
"It's scary. People are wondering how they're going to get through the winter," she said.
The cause is one that's close to James' heart. She's from the Interior, and her family had to flee their farm in the early 2000's due to a wildfire.
"I just think it's so important that we help each other, and every little bit helps," she said.
Back in Saanichton, Rashleigh continues to raise money for the costs of transporting hay to the mainland.
So far, he's raised $10,000, and he hopes to raise another $30,000 so that he can send off a total of 50 truckloads.
"I just want to thank everyone who's been a part of this," he said. "It's way bigger than anything I could do or imagine."
Rashleigh is also donating his time and labour to the project. He estimates that it'll take about 90 hours to load all of the hay he wants to transport to the mainland.
The farmer adds that he's grateful to transport company Penta Transport that's been helping him haul the hay across the country.
To donate to the hay fundraiser, visit the Saanichton Farm website here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.