ATLANTIC

N.S. bails out farmers reeling from 'killer frost' that crippled crops

THE CANADIAN PRESS Published Monday, February 25, 2019 12:27PM AST Last Updated Tuesday, February 26, 2019 7:41AM AST

Early morning frost covers wild blueberry blossoms in an area near Great Village, N.S., in a Monday June 4, 2018, handout photo. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Ann Millen)

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HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia is bailing out farmers after an unusual "killer frost" last June that badly damaged crops ranging from wine grapes to berries and Christmas trees.

The record lows arrived in early June, just days after a 28 C high that had set off a growth spurt in a wide variety of crops.

Temperatures plunging to -2 C or worse in some areas hit wine grapes, strawberries, blueberries, apples, cherries and pears, with farmers estimating $34.3 million in losses for 2018.

The frost "burned" the tips of many Christmas trees, causing a shortage that choked supply into the northeastern U.S.

On Monday, the Agriculture Department announced a $16.7-million program aimed at helping farmers recover and prepare for the upcoming harvest season.

Through the program, farms will receive 50 per cent of the value of their calculated production loss.

"Last year's frost event was severe and impacted many farmers and their crops. This investment will provide them with some help financially and will help them purchase some of the supplies and services they need for the upcoming 2019 season," Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell said in a statement.

Such damage had been unseen in Nova Scotia for decades.

Many of the province's roughly 15 vineyards were affected, with harm varying from complete devastation to minimal damage.

The frost prompted the layoff of seasonal farm workers and disrupted growers' expansion plans, according to the province.

"Wild blueberries are one of Nova Scotia's top agricultural exports and our producers suffered a shocking loss of two thirds of their crop in 2018, following very low market prices in recent years," Peter Rideout, executive director of the Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia, said in a statement.

"This funding will help support our producers and the communities that depend on them."

The NDP welcomed the funding Monday, but said it should have been announced much earlier.

"It is coming late as setting up for the next growing season is well under way. This issue should have been a priority for government and therefore dealt with a lot sooner in order to allow farmers to plan properly," NDP legislator Lenore Zann said in a statement.