Alberta county declares 'state of agricultural disaster'

The county council in Camrose, Alta., declared a local state of agricultural disaster Tuesday due to drought conditions.

There was little moisture over the past winter and a severe lack of rainfall this spring as a result most local ground and surface water has disappeared. "This sends a message to the province that the agriculture industry needs their support, and that they need to look at this and maybe think about instituting their drought risk management plan," said Paul King, the agricultural and environmental manager for the County of Camrose. Crops have died due to late frosts and lack of moisture and production is two to three weeks behind schedule. Livestock producers are also feeling the effects as they have no pasture land and little chance to grow hay Some farmers have been forced to sell their cattle early. Bruderheim producer Barry Schram sold 40 of his 500 cattle at an auction near Westlock, Alta., on Tuesday. "There's no hay. Pastures are dry," he said. "We could rent pasture for 2,000 bucks a quarter and put the cows on. But you gotta truck in there, truck in back." However, any extra money he might make by keeping his cows until fall wouldn't offset these added costs. The declaration was issued to raise awareness about the conditions, however ithe county does not qualify for assistance under the Emergency Management Act. In nearby Wainwright, farmers have similar concerns said Doug Griffiths, MLA for Battle River-Wainwright. \the first of eight meetings organized by the province will be held at Wainwright’s Communiplex on Friday,