ST. PAUL – The County of St. Paul declared a state of agricultural disaster as of Aug. 12.
County council had previously directed administration and the Agricultural Service Board to monitor current drought conditions.
According to information from administration, citing reports from Alberta Agriculture, there have been significant drops in moisture levels and declining crop and pasture conditions across the County of St. Paul.
Rainfall in much of the County has been far below average since mid-July. Without steady rain, moisture levels in most of the County dropped to “extremely low to driest,” according to the Aug. 13 council meeting agenda.
For crops, Alberta Agriculture Crop Reports from late July and early August indicate decreasing crop ratings and struggling pastures. For example, the July 29 report shows just 59 per cent of crops in the northeast region rated good to excellent, down nine points from two weeks prior.
Pasture conditions were at 23.1 per cent from good to excellent, and the first cut of hay averaged one ton per acre. Some second cuts are expected.
During the Aug. 12 council meeting, CAO Jason Wallsmith explained that declaring a state of agricultural disaster does not trigger provincial or federal assistance, “and that includes the livestock tax deferral program.”
Reeve Glen Ockerman expressed support with declaring an agricultural disaster. It has been, for the most part, “very dry” in the County since June, he said.
“There was lots of optimism coming into the growing season. We had a little bit of early showers, and then we dried up,” said Ockerman. While there were some good rains and showers, “We never ever did have a general rain across our municipality or across the northeast here.”
According to Ockerman, dry conditions led to some producers being unable to preserve breeding herds and they started to sell their cattle. “I think we need to acknowledge that here today,” he said.
Coun. Darrell Younghans expressed caution using the term “disaster,” as it can sound extreme and might lose its meaning if used too often. “I think it's like crying wolf,” he said.
But Younghans acknowledged that some farmers are already feeding hay to cattle in the middle of summer or selling animals because of poor pasture conditions, and the declaration should reflect that certain parts of the County are more affected than others.
Coun. Dale Hedrick believes the County should have declared a state of agricultural disaster earlier.
“This been going on for a couple months and I think it took us quite a while to come to this point,” he said. “When this was brought up [during the last Public Works meeting] it was bad already, and I think we should have declared it back then."
Coun. Kevin Wirsta said declaring an agricultural disaster means, “We . . . support our local ranchers and grain farmers.” He then made the motion that council declare a state of agricultural disaster.
The motion was carried.
County of St. Paul previously declared a state of Agricultural Disaster in July 2021.
