By Curtis Galbraith

Agriculture

MD of Smoky River declares agricultural disaster

Aug 6, 2025 | 4:26 PM

The MD of Smoky River has declared an agricultural disaster because of drought.

The MD says in a release that it has asked to be included in any future federal or provincial programs meant to provide relief for producers.

A letter from Reeve Robert Brochu to Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture RJ Sigurdson says ranchers have been hurt most by the drought as they have lost up to 80 per cent of their hay crop, plus watched pastures deteriorate.

The letter also says cereal crop yields will be 30 per cent below normal. Canola yields will be down 20 per cent. Grasshoppers are also close to or at what the letter calls “economic thresholds.”

The letter goes on to say many people in the MD are on dugout water and that “water storage and transfer are still large issues in the MD of Smoky River.”

The County of Grande Prairie and Saddle Hills County have also declared an agricultural disaster.

The MD of Greenview declared an agricultural disaster for the livestock business.