Wheatland County declares municipal agricultural disaster to be in effect
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Photos Courtesy of Aimée Christensen
Wheatland County has officially declared a municipal agricultural disaster, made effective July 27 in response to widespread drought conditions.
According to a release from the county, the decision was made based on low growing season moisture, and long periods of wind and extreme heat having depleted soil moisture reserves.
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Wheatland County, Matthew Boscariol, said the county has been working closely with local producers in an effort to gauge the effects of the drought and adverse weather on crops.
“All we’ve heard is very negative situations that everyone is going through, so the direction of council … both myself and Reeve Amber Link penned a letter to Minister [Dreeshen] indicating the county had declared a state of emergency,” he said. “That doesn’t mean that there’s financial help for municipalities until the province declares that, but the more municipalities that declare [a state of emergency] and are experiencing these issues … and something is warranted at the provincial level … this raises awareness to the county and the region as a whole.”
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Devin Dreeshen confirmed on July 16 the ministry will be working with farmers, ranchers, commodity groups, and other government agencies to implement what’s being referred to as an AgriRecovery support program.
“Alberta’s government recognizes the significant impacts that extreme dry weather has on the province’s producers. Our government is standing up for Alberta farmers and ranchers to ensure they are supported through these extreme conditions,” said Dreeshen in a statement.
“The details of an AgriRecovery program are still being developed with industry and we will work with our provincial and federal counterparts to ensure that Alberta’s farmers and ranchers are supported.”
Dreeshen stated he has urged the federal government to cooperate and aid Alberta’s AgriRecovery program.
An update shortly following the initial release confirmed Alberta had received a verbal commitment from Ottawa that a joint AgriRecovery program will be initiated to support prairie producers affected by drought conditions. The exact wording of the commitment was not released.
Boscariol specified there are certain metrics that are evaluated prior to declaring a state of emergency, such as moisture levels, drought, pests, hail, and temperature levels. He did not, however, disclose specific figures with respect to those metrics, and at what point they are breached.
According to Dreeshen, Alberta announced a 20 per cent reduction in insurance premiums this year, which allowed nearly 400 additional farmers and ranchers to enrol in crop, pasture and forage insurance against weather-related production loss.
“Alberta also has a Water Pumping Program that provides assistance to producers for the emergency filling of dugouts for livestock,” he added. “Producers can rent pipe and pumping equipment from the province to fill dugouts or other suitable catch basins from nearby water sources for their animals.”
In Wheatland County’s own release, the county is quoted to be committed to working with all levels of government to implement a recovery program to support producers.
Details, as well as an implementation timeline for the AgriRecovery program are still being developed and have not yet been released.
Dreeshen also disclosed he has advised Alberta crop adjusters to maintain a certain flexibility when considering affected crop and hay land – such as offering alternative use of crops to address forecasted feed shortages in the livestock industry.
Boscariol did not disclose the conditions which would have to be achieved before the local state of disaster is lifted.
Meanwhile, Rocky View County Council also declared a municipal agricultural disaster on Aug. 3.
“This declaration highlights how one of the worst growing seasons in recent memory has created a very difficult time for our producers,” said Rocky View County Reeve Dan Henn in a release. “We will continue to advocate for relief measures at the provincial level and will support producers in accessing any recovery and assistance programs that become available.”