The 2025 ASB Gopher Impact Survey, responding to Federal MP John Barlow, aims to compile evidence on the pest damage caused by Richardson's Ground Squirrels to inform agricultural policy. Farmers are encouraged to submit damage photos, with a target of 200 responses, to prompt timely government action for affected Prairie producers.
When Policy Becomes a Farmer’s Biggest Threat – A Year in the Life of a Farmer
China's canola tariffs illustrate how federal policy choices can cripple Canadian agriculture. — Read on thelifeofafarmer.com/2025/08/13/policy-a-farmers-biggest-threat/ A worth while summary of the impact of the October 2024 move to help the auto industry on western farmers.
Municipalities Declaring Disasters in 2025: A Growing Concern – Updated September 16, 2025
As of August 16, 17 rural municipalities in Alberta have already declared an Agriculture Disaster due to dry conditions, more are expected for the 2025 growing season.
Alberta Launches Regulatory Dialogue Portal for Water Management
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (EPA) has officially launched the Regulatory Dialogue Portal, a new online tool designed to improve communication and responsiveness around regulatory approvals under the Water Act and the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA). This initiative responds in part to Resolution 6-23, passed by Alberta’s Agricultural Service Boards (ASBs), which called …
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Greenview County Declares Agriculture Disaster For Livestock Industry
July 8, 2025 - "The Municipal District of Greenview has declared an Agricultural Disaster specific to the livestock sector in response to worsening drought conditions. The ongoing lack of precipitation over the past year, compounded by minimal spring runoff, has left pastures and hay lands severely depleted. These lands have shown no significant recovery due …
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**Updated**AgKnow: Transforming Mental Health in Alberta’s Farming Community
AgKnow, the Alberta Farm Mental Health Network, emerged from agricultural resolutions to support mental health in rural communities. In 2023, it initiated community engagement, offering free therapy sessions. Despite funding challenges in 2024, the community raised over $180,000 for services. AgKnow aims for operational stability and diverse funding to thrive.
Low Water Reserves Trigger Agriculture Disaster in MD Pincher Creek
MD Pincher Creek has declared an agriculture disaster due to low water reserves and insufficient rainfall. The dry spring has severely affected soil moisture levels, with over 50% of livestock producers facing water shortages. Recent rains improved surface moisture slightly but did not alleviate overall drought conditions impacting crop and livestock health.
Insights from the ASB Spring Townhall Meeting
The ASB Grant Program has been renewed with $66.4 million allocated, supporting municipal agricultural services. The Weed Act Review progresses with updates to regulations prioritized. Actions to manage wild boar and veterinary shortages are underway, while new regulations protect agricultural lands from renewable projects. Emergency season challenges due to drought are being monitored.
Central Contact for Weed Control and Pests Act
Resolution 5-25 Resolution 5-25 asks that "the Ministers of Energy, Environment and Ag work collaboratively to establish a central point of contact for identifying landholder to send communication to industry and government agencies for matters related to agriculture legislation. This would involve municipalities sending notices and other communications regarding the Acts to a central government …
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Richardson’s Ground Squirrel Update
**Updates** ASBPC meets with SARM on April 22, 2025 Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) SARM has been actively advocating for the reinstatement of strychnine for gopher control through multiple channels, including meeting with Pesticide Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) in Ottawa multiple times before strychnine was deregistered in 2023. They found PMRA to be unresponsive …
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