Agricultural disaster declared in Big Lakes County
A northern Alberta county has declared an agricultural disaster with an estimated 63.5 per cent of pasture conditions rated poor and just 13 per cent of crops good to excellent.
Big Lakes County council made the declaration at its Sept. 8 meeting.
Reeve Ken Matthews said he hoped it would bring attention to the hardship facing producers in the area near High Prairie and Lesser Slave Lake.
“These unprecedented seasonal events have forced our producers to make tough decisions like having to use viable crops for feed and even reducing their herds,” he said in a statement.
“Producers from the area are even predicting they will need to start feeding livestock a month earlier than normal. We hope that the Provincial and
Federal Governments understand the exceptional hardships placed upon producers this year, and that they comprehend the value that our Agricultural Industry adds to our local, Canadian, and global economy.”
According to Alberta's Sept. 7 crop report, the Peace region has not seen a second hay cut and pasture growing conditions were rated as 67 per cent poor, 30 per cent fair, and three per cent good.
At the time, less than a quarter of crops had been harvested and another 21 per cent had been swathed.
Mental health resources are available at:
- Alberta Addiction and Mental Health; 1-877-303-2642 or Dial 811
- The Support Network; 24-hour distress line for northern Alberta available at 1-800 232-7288
- Canadian Mental Health Association
- The Do More Agriculture Foundation
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.