Updates from ADM ASB Town Hall: Key Highlights

Agricultural Service Boards (ASBs) and partners gathered on June 23 for an ADM ASB Town Hall to hear updates from Executive Director of Crop Assurance, Marcia Hewitt Fisher, and colleagues. The session focused on ASB program progress, wild boar control, moisture conditions across the province, the emergency use of strychnine for Richardson’s ground squirrel (RGS) control, and new mechanisms to address weeds on well sites.

Strychnine Emergency Use Registration (EUR) 

A significant portion of the town hall focused on the Emergency Use Registration (EUR) for strychnine to manage Richardson’s ground squirrels (RGS): 

• The first batch of product has already been shipped to eligible municipalities within the designated EUR area. 
• Additional batches are expected in July and August, with the EUR currently set to end on November 1, 2027. 
• Over 1,300 Alberta producers have already completed the mandatory online training, and auditors are being hired to support compliance of the EUR. 

Municipalities Outside the Current EUR Area:

Municipalities such as MD of Bonnyville and others outside the orange “Focus Area” EUR Alberta map were specifically discussed. They are not currently included because the province did not have sufficient data (population levels, damage, and economic impact) to justify expansion to the federal regulator for this EUR.

What can non‑included municipalities do now? 

• Systematically collect and document RGS impacts, including: 
  • Photos of colonies and damaged areas  
  • Estimates of mounds per acre and affected acres  
  • Evidence of crop and pasture losses and associated economic impact 
• Producers should work with their Agricultural Fieldmen, who can compile and submit this information to the province via the ASB Program email (ASBProgram@gov.ab.ca). 

This data is essential for future applications to expand access. As was emphasized in discussion, gophers do not follow municipal boundaries, and every farmer should have equitable access to tools and responses. A stronger, province‑wide evidence base is critical to support that case in future EUR or long‑term registration requests. 

Weeds on Well Sites: New Enforcement Pathways 

There is now a clearer mechanism for addressing weeds on well sites. 

The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) now has explicit legal authority to act on weed issues at delinquent sites. New – Oil and Gas Conservation Regulation now includes the Agricultural Pests Act and Weed Control Act – in effect May 1st 2026. Empowers the Alberta Energy Regulators (AER) to issue Reasonable Care and Measures (RCAM) Orders on AER regulated sites (wellsites) under the Agricultural Pests Act and Weed Control Act. 

Municipalities can: 

• Issue a weed notice with required actions and timelines. 
• Once the notice and appeal timelines expire without action, refer the file to AER (for solvent licensees) or to the Orphan Well Association (for orphaned sites). 
• Municipalities do not need to undertake control work themselves before referral. 

For specific well‑site weed cases and referral support, ASBs were asked to contact Joshua Meltzer, who serves as the key point person for this process as it develops. Refer all weeds on wellsites to AGI’s Crop Assurance Specialist, Joshua Melzer at joshua.melzer@gov.ab.ca or 587-589-5317, for more information 

For further details, ASBs and partner agencies are encouraged to reach out via the ASB program email, contact Joshua Meltzer for well‑site weed referrals, or connect with the wild boar and strychnine program leads within the department.  

Wild Boar Exit and Control Programs 

The wild boar program continues to advance: 

• 13 farms are participating in the wild boar on-farm exit program, with 2 already fully completed. 
• One farm has been issued a grandfathering permit.
• Control efforts of wild boar at large include a full suite of tools: trapping and night shooting using thermal optics. Since January, 29 wild boar have been removed, 26 of them at night and were individuals that never would have entered a trap. 

For more information or to engage with wild boar awareness (including the mobile display “Borat,” the taxidermy wild boar), municipalities can connect: Hannah McKenzie, Wild Boar Specialist at Hannah.Mckenzie@gov.ab.ca 

Provincial Moisture Conditions

Trevor Wallace, Manager, Agriculture Meteorology, provided an overview of recent precipitation and stream flows: 

• A broad band from Greenview/Yellowhead through central Alberta to the Saskatchewan border received over 50 mm of rain in the week leading up to June 23, with localized totals exceeding 120 mm near Edmonton and south of Red Deer. 
• Over the past month (May 23-June 23), many regions have seen 100–150 mm of precipitation, with notable accumulations around Edmonton/Fort McMurray and the foothills south of Calgary. 
• Key reservoirs (Paddle River, South Heart, Dixon Dam) are within normal operational ranges, with no major flood operations underway. 

Trevor remains a resource for more detailed, map‑based discussions for ASBs needing localized moisture context. Trevor can be contacted at Trevor.Wallace@gov.ab.ca 

ASB Program: Grants on Track 

The first year of the new ASB grant is complete, with 55 of 68 ASB grants already processed and payments beginning to reach municipalities. The department acknowledged the extra work associated with the revised reporting process and emphasized appreciation for ASBs’ continued role in supporting provincial legislation and agricultural competitiveness. 

For questions on ASB grants or reporting, ASBs can contact the ASB program team through the general ASB program email (ASBProgram@gov.ab.ca).