State of agricultural disaster declared in Strathcona County

Strathcona County Council declared a state of agricultural disaster for the county on Tuesday at the advice of County administration and the Agricultural Service Board. The declaration comes after historic rainfall events reduced expected yields of annual crops (wheat, barley, canola) compounding financial stresses for agricultural producers and smaller farms.

“We understand the significant economic and personal toll the rainfall has had on those in the agricultural community and their families,” said Mayor Rod Frank. “By making this declaration, we are standing alongside our farmers and producers, advocating for support, and acknowledging the shared challenges being experienced by neighbouring communities throughout the region.”

Due to the complexity of the county’s landscape, the decision was made to record conditions throughout the growing season to understand the extent and severity of impacts in different areas. “We have been actively collecting data and feedback throughout the summer months,” said Agricultural Fieldman Jocelyn Thrasher-Haug. “Waiting until the end of the growing season allowed the opportunity to provide the Agricultural Service Board and council information that was evidence-based, informed by local conditions, and reflected the experience of local agricultural producers.”

County staff were actively conducting crop and field condition assessments, engaging with local agricultural producers, agronomists, and neighbouring municipalities. A report was presented to the Agricultural Service Board on Sept. 8 which then led to the recommendation to council.

Local farmers report 20 to 30 per cent of annually cropped acres are fully submerged and will not yield any crop, resulting in estimated losses in the tens of millions of dollars from wheat and canola production alone. The ability to even access crops for harvest was also a concern as many fields are still too wet or inaccessible.

While a declaration does not trigger financial help, they are an important opportunity to build awareness of the impacts on the agricultural community. Strathcona County will be sending a letter to the minister of Agriculture and Irrigation requesting the Government of Alberta recognizes the severity of this agricultural disaster and continues to work collaboratively with all orders of government to provide timely assistance to affected producers.

Impacts are not only expected on crop yields, but the significant costs associated with recovery and mitigation efforts. Producers are encouraged to document recovery and mitigation costs in addition to any impacts on operations.

More information will be made available in coming months. For details on support services available, visit countyvoice.strathcona.ca/asb.

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Contact:
Strathcona County Communications
780-410-6595