Saddle Hills County declares agricultural disaster

Sep 14, 2021 | 1:23 PM

Saddle Hills County Council has declared a state of agricultural disaster.

The declaration came at council’s meeting on Tuesday, September 14.

The County says in a release that record heat and not enough rain has led to record low crop yields. They add producers are scrambling to find enough winter feed for their livestock.

That lack of feed and poor pasture quality is leading some farmers to look at selling their herds.

There is also worry about the availability of good water because of the drought.

“A Declaration of a State of Agricultural Disaster is designed to heighten awareness and collaboration among producers, industry, and provincial and federal governments,” says the County, in a statement.

“The County joins a growing number of rural municipalities in Western Canada that have declared states of emergency to draw political attention to the critical conditions of fields, pastures, and the availability of livestock feed, “says Reeve Alvin Hubert in the release.

The County of Grande Prairie and MD of Greenview also declared agricultural disasters back in July.

by Curtis Galbraith