Drought conditions have led one Alberta county to declare an Agricultural State of Emergency

Jun 20, 2023

The County of Stettler is the first to make that declaration.

A very light snowpack with no run-off combined with an early and extended heat wave and no moisture led Council to make the announcement.

In a press release from the county Reeve Larry Clarke says they've been hearing the pleas from farmers and producers and they needed to take action.

"We’re seeing exceptionally large numbers of livestock being dispersed at auction marts for this time of year and producers are contacting us to report they are out of feed, cannot afford feed, and looking ahead and realizing at this point that the probability of growing feed to support their operations is very, very slim."

Quinton Beaumont, Manager of Agricultural Operations notes that while the Alberta Government has announced some pasture programs due to the wildfire situation, no programs for drought assistance have been announced.

"We are seeing producers putting herds out into their hay fields, with no other options at hand beyond herd dispersals."

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