75+ years of promoting sustainable agriculture in Alberta
At the May 21, 2026 ASB Provincial Committee meeting, Alberta Agriculture's Joshua Melzer outlined new regulations for managing weeds and pests on AER-regulated oil and gas sites. Effective May 1, 2026, the Oil and Gas Conservation Regulation incorporates RCAM orders, enforcing compliance post-municipal interventions. This strategic collaboration aims to enhance enforcement and address longstanding issues.
On June 23, Agricultural Service Boards (ASBs) convened for a town hall highlighting program updates, including the Emergency Use Registration (EUR) for strychnine in managing Richardson’s ground squirrels (RGS). Discussions also covered wild boar control, moisture conditions, and new weed management mechanisms for well sites. ASBs were encouraged to document impacts for future EUR applications.
On April 2, 2026, ADM Town Hall discussed new legislation for weed control on oil and gas sites. The Alberta Energy Regulator will enforce measures under the Oil and Gas Conservation Act, linking problematic sites to the Orphan Well Association for funding. Municipalities can report weed issues via an online form, promoting timely enforcement.
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.
The Weeds On Wellsites working group met on March 26, 2025. The meeting was planned to coincide with the release of the Mature Assets Strategy (MAS) report, however the report was delayed and not released until April 3, 2025. At the meeting Agriculture and Irrigation (AGI) staff discussed their involvement in the Mature Asset Strategy …
Resolution 1-21, In response to a request made by Minister Horner to the ASB Provincial Committee at their meeting on November 30, 2022, an email was sent to all ASBs asking for estimated costs associated with inspecting, monitoring and controlling weeds on neglected well sites. The deadline to submit costs through the attached survey link …
ASBPC Meeting November 7, 2022: delegation DM Jason Hale and ADM John Conrad. The ASBPC held their annual organizational meeting and met with the newly appointed Deputy Minister (DM) Jason Hale, and longstanding ASB supporter Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) John Conrad at the Edmonton Convention Centre on the first day of the RMA 2023 Fall …
Continue reading "Meeting with the Jason Hale, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation"
December 10, 2021 meeting, Resolution 1-21, After the first meeting on September 20, 2021, it became clear that the issues extended beyond wellsites that were abandoned and moving into the Orphan Well program, to those with active licensees that were non compliant. It was decided that the Farmers Advocate should also be added to the …
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