WATCH ABOVE: Thorhild County, Leduc County and Brazeau County issued States of Agricultural Disaster Tuesday. As Kendra Slugoski reports, the drought conditions across Alberta continue to impact local farmers.
EDMONTON — Leduc County declared a local State of Agricultural Disaster at a special council meeting Tuesday morning. The decision was made in response to what’s being called extreme drought conditions impacting local producers.
“Leduc County council recognizes the struggles our local producers are facing. By making this declaration, we are focusing attention on this issue and are encouraging other levels of government to provide support where possible,” said Mayor John Whaley.
READ MORE: ‘What do I do with my cattle?’: Alberta farmers struggle with near drought
Before declaring the State of Agricultural Disaster, Leduc County said it reached out to the provincial government requesting plans and programming to support producers. Support could come through reducing rental rates for dugout water pumping, implementing drought disaster loan programs and supporting the Federal Livestock Tax Deferral provision.
Also Tuesday, Thorhild County council unanimously voted to declare a State of Agricultural Disaster due to the drought conditions.
“The agriculture industry is a vital part of Thorhild County,” said Reeve Wayne Croswell with Thorhild County. “The extremely dry conditions and lack of moisture has resulted in extreme hardships to all agriculture sectors. By declaring a State of Agricultural Disaster, council hopes to draw attention to the very difficult conditions facing all grain and livestock producers.”
Brazeau County also joined the growing list of areas declaring States of Agricultural Disaster following a council meeting Tuesday afternoon.
“These extreme drought conditions are devastating crops across Brazeau County,” said Reeve Bart Guyon with the county. “We understand the hardship our agricultural sector is facing and will provide all means of support possible.”
WATCH: Alberta drought conditions will hike crop prices
Areas of the province are experiencing the driest season in 50 years. Farmers across Alberta have said the conditions are so dry they can’t grow enough crops to feed their animals, resulting in some being forced to sell their livestock. Some Leduc County producers have also reported further losses from grasshopper infestations.
“Producers in contact with Leduc County are expressing concern with the ongoing drought conditions,” said Garett Broadbent, Director of Agricultural Services. “Some area producers have already applied for early assessment of losses on insured crops.”
“The spring was just utterly disappointing with the lack of pasture as well as the lack of hay. Last year, we were paying about $50 for a big round bale of hay, and this year, at the end of the season we’re paying $110 and we hear now that they’re about $180 a bale,” said Tanni Doblanko, Leduc County Councillor.
The federal government is encouraging producers to consider possible assistance from Business Risk Management programs. The government calls Agrilnsurance the first line of response for producers dealing with weather related damages to their crops.
“Significant enhancements have been made to the AgriInsurance coverage offered to producers in recent years, including improved forage insurance,” said James Watson, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
The government also encourages those producers facing cash-flow challenges to apply to the federal Advance Payments Program to access loans up to $400,000.
“The interest on the first $100,000 is paid by the Federal Government. Producers repay the advances once their product is sold. This may be of particular interest to livestock producers looking for cash to purchase feedstocks,” said Watson.
On Monday, Sturgeon County declared a local State of Agricultural Disaster, Parkland County did the same the previous week, and so did McKenzie County.
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