Wheatland County in southern Alberta declares state of agriculture disaster
Prolonged lack of precipitation across the province has prompted some 18 municipalities to declare states of agriculture disaster, including Wheatland County and nearby Special Areas Board.
Combined with high temperatures, the prolonged lack of moisture has created drought conditions, stunted crop growth, and low yields.
While Wheatland County has declared a state of agriculture disaster, so far, none have been declared in either Kneehill County or Starland County.
Kneehill County manager of Parks and Agriculture Services Shelby Sherwick says the decision will be considered by council at the next regular council meeting on Tuesday, August 17.
Starland County Agriculture Fieldman Ryan Hallett also notes the decision whether to declare an agriculture disaster will be left up to council at the August council meeting.
“Canola and wheat are hanging on, but barley has been impacted and hay will have low yields,” Hallett tells the Mail. He notes soil moisture reserves in Starland County are down “quite a bit” when comparing year over year levels.
However, Hallett adds, “Some municipalities are seeing 1:50 and 1:100 year droughts. Some sloughs are dry which would normally be there.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.