Greenview declares agricultural disaster for livestock industry amidst drought and pest challenges

The Municipal District of Greenview in west central Alberta is sounding the alarm over challenging conditions faced by the livestock agricultural industry.

Recently, Greenview council officially declared an agricultural disaster for its livestock industry, pointing to worsening drought conditions and severe grasshopper infestation.

As a result, many livestock producers are struggling to supply enough feed for their animals and may need to turn to liquidation — selling off parts of their herds.

Local livestock producer Bill Smith, also deputy reeve and Ward Eight councillor, commented, “Usually in the north we know how to deal with too much rain, but not enough rain is something that’s very new to us. In my lifetime we’ve only experienced it a few times, and never at this level, this many years in a row.”