Photo courtesy MD of Greenview.

By Erika Rolling

Agriculture

Livestock agricultural disaster declared in MD of Greenview

Jul 14, 2025 | 1:18 PM

In response to the worsening drought conditions in the MD of Greenview, the municipality has declared an Agricultural Disaster for the livestock industry.

This decision was made following the Greenview Council’s regular meeting on July 8.

Pasture and hay lands have been left severely depleted due to a lack of precipitation over the past year and limited spring runoff.

Grasshopper infestations have become significant across the region and have damaged the limited forage that managed to grow in these conditions.

Council says farmers are contemplating or are already in the process of liquidating livestock, while others are tilling under hay land with hopes of better green feed later in the season.

Annual crop failure has not happened in Greenview, and the municipality is not declaring disaster for annual cropping at this point in time although many producers are anticipating below-average yields and grain quality.

MD of Greenview Council says they remain “cautiously optimistic” but a final determination will be made later in the cropping season as to whether or not agricultural disaster will need to be declared. Council also says they remain concerned about the toll it is taking on producers’ mental well-being during this time.

Reeve Tyler Olsen said in a news release, “By declaring an agricultural disaster, Greenview is formally recognizing the severe challenges our farmers and ranchers are facing. We urge all levels of government and the public to understand the gravity of the situation and to support the agricultural community through this difficult time. Our producers are the backbone of not only our local economy, but also Alberta’s and Canada’s, and they need our full support now more than ever.”

The MD is urging the province to be included in the federal government’s Livestock Tax Deferral program. Council has sent a letter to the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, RJ Sigurdson asking for advocacy to the federal government to get critical support that’s needed at this time.