NEWS FILE PHOTO
A seeder, also known as a seeding machine, is seen preparing a field in Cypress County in this NEWS file photo from 2023. The County announced a declaration of an agricultural state of disaster.
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
In response to ongoing weather conditions, Cypress County has declared an agricultural state of disaster.
While there has been recent rain, it has come too late to be useful for many farmers, says Cypress County during their regularly scheduled council meeting, held Tuesday. While they acknowledged that not all of the county is in a state of drought, many areas are facing serious damage to crops.
This declaration marks the fourth time in five years that the County has called a local agricultural state of disaster.
“I know we had a bit of rain here yesterday, said Ward 8 Councillor Shane Hok, “But the amount of rain isn’t helping the crops. A lot of the crops are beyond help right now.”
The Alberta Crop Report showed either poor soil moisture ratings at 17.6 per cent or fair ratings at 37 per cent as of July 8 for the South part of the province.
Earlier in the season, soil moisture was even worse. The June 17 report, for example, showed 35.8 per cent and 39.6 per cent conditions dominating the south region, which are considered poor and fair, respectively.
Cypress County, in the southeastern part of the province, is regularly drier than areas further west.
It was noted that some modern farming equipment, such as newer combines, are not designed to run through fields with thin yields and it can be hard on the equipment.
“I have had numerous calls that we have to do something for them because it’s really dry out there,” said Ward 1 Coun. Michelle McKenzie.
Similar states of disaster have already been hard in other municipalities in both Alberta and Saskatchewan, such as Greenview, Pincher Creek, Maple Creek and Fox Valley.
“The amount of rain that was just received in these crucial affected areas is not going to help save these crops by any means,” said Ward 2 Coun. Blaine Brost. “This will give them the opportunity to salvage some of these crops for feed, gives them an opportunity to make decisions best financially suited for them. Without doing this, it kind of has their hands tied.”
During the meeting, some councillors say they already received messages from ratepayers thanking them for the declaration, as it gives them freedom to make necessary decisions for their livelihoods.
Recent rains prompt downgrade to fire advisory
Precipitation over the weekend and Monday has prompted Cypress County to downgrade from a fire ban to a fire advisory.
An advisory is a means of public notification, to bring attention to an impending fire restriction or ban.
A post on Cypress County Fire Services’ FaceBook page advised residents to, “enjoy the rain while it’s here.”
Those seeking more information on what is permitted during a fire advisory, residents are encouraged to visit cypress.ab.ca/p/fire-services
