By Liam Verster

Harvest conditions

Weather conditions causes County to declare agricultural disaster

Nov 4, 2019 | 2:10 PM

The County of Grande Prairie has officially declared an agricultural disaster.

The wet conditions, which delayed seeding, excessive rainfall, and cool weather, has slowed agriculture production in the region, leading to loss of crops, and a poor quality of crops during harvest.

“County Council is very aware of the hardships that our agricultural community is facing as a result of the weather conditions,” said Deputy Reeve Peter Harris in a statement. “By declaring an agricultural disaster, Council wants to bring attention to the devastating conditions impacting crop and livestock producers and request more support for them.”

Between 40 and 60 percent of the crops remain in County fields, and will remain unharvested due to the snow fall. The effects of the weather have made an impact on the entire region, with crop harvesting trailing 25 per cent behind average. About half of the major crops have been combined, 19 per cent have been swathed, and 31 percent are still standing.

Additionally, hay crop quality is poor due to the excessive rainfall, which has led to a shortage in some areas of the County. Hay for feed is in short supply, which could result in higher costs for livestock producers, who will need to supplement their food stocks by bringing in hay from outside the region.

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Harris says they have declared the agricultural disaster in order to start the process of writing letters to the Provincial and Federal Governments, and asking them to support the local farmers in the County. He says “One of the things they do is a Cash Advance Program, which they will give an extension to the pay off period. They will maybe give you a break on the interest that’s charged. That’s some of the things they do, and they may come up with some things on their own.”

Harris adds that it’s important to get the message of the declaration out on a local level, as well as the provincial and federal levels.

“The farming sector is vital to the County of Grande Prairie,” said Harris. “The effects of this agricultural disaster are felt across our communities.”

Meanwhile, the County is encouraging struggling farmers to reach out to mental health supports in the community.

This is the fourth year in a row where weather conditions have caused difficulties for local agricultural producers, and forced a declaration of agriculture disaster.

With many crops remaining in the fields, the County is asking residents and visitors to be mindful this winter when hunting or partaking in activities, such as snowmobiling. Crops can be severely damaged by these activities, and lead to worse conditions in the spring.