Agriculture in the County
County of St. Paul declared Agricultural Disaster (November 26, 2019)
The main focus of the County of St. Paul Agricultural Service Board (ASB) is to deliver programs that aid our local producers, under the guidelines of the provincial Agricultural Service Board Act. These programs and services include: rental equipment, weed and brush control, pests, diseases, predators and conservation programs. Learn more about Alberta's Agriculture Service Boards.
The Lakeland Agricultural Research Association (LARA) aims to
support local agriculture producers and offers a number of workshops and
resources for agri-entrepreneurs.
Follow LARA on Facebook.
Find out the latest in agriculture research in this area through
LARA's publication 'Grow With Us'.
LARA is planning a number of workshops including Holistic Management, and Cover Crops - Increasing Profitability Through Diversity. Check the LARA website for information on the upcoming programs. LARA 2020 Calendar of Events
Original Grazing School for Women, June 9 and 10, 2020.
Hosted by Beaver County
Disease Scouting School, June 25 at Fort Kent Research Site
Soil Health Academy, July 15-17, 2020 in the County of St. Paul
Fort Kent BBQ and Field Tour on July 29, 2020 at the Fort Kent Research Farm. Information
St. Paul Summer Field Tour on August 5, 2020 at the St. Paul Research Station. Information and other dates/locations
Other Agriculture-related Programs
March 23, 2020: The Government of Canada announced new supports for farmers and agri-food businesses.
Please see the link for additional information about the following:
Farm Credit Canada will receive support from the Government of Canada that will allow for an additional $5 billion in lending capacity to producers, agribusinesses,
and food processors
All eligible farmers who have an outstanding Advance Payments Program (APP) loan due on or before April 30 will receive a Stay of Default, allowing them an additional six months to repay the loan
G3 Grow Beyond Scholarship Contest -- Deadline for submissions is April 1, 2020
The scholarships will be awarded to students entering a post-secondary program and who have a passion for exploring innovation and technology in agriculture.
Weed & Invasive Species Control
The County aims to help our agricultural community avoid pests, weeds and invasive species. See the resources below for more information.
Clubroot
Clubroot is a serious soil-borne disease of canola, mustard and other crops in the cabbage family. The disease is capable of significantly reducing yields and quality, and may destroy a crop if infestations are high. Field inspections in the County are conducted each summer by inspectors appointed in the County. If a field is verified to have clubroot by a laboratory test the landowner will be notified by an Agricultural Service Board employee. A Clubroot Pest Notice will be issued to the landowner
of that field.
Contact a County Agricultural Fieldman at 780-645-3006 for additional information.
Clubroot Positive Fields in the County of St. Paul 2014-2019
Weed Control
We work with producers to eliminate weed infestations on private land. Controlling noxious, nuisance weeds and brush are priorities along roadways and municipally controlled lands.
We also undertake many activities to control weeds in the county, including, Roadside Spraying (residents may opt out), Inspections and a Road Side Mowing Program.
[Learn More About Our Spraying Program]
[Government of Alberta Weed Selector]
[Report Noxious Weeds]
Road Side Spray Program &
No-Spray Agreements
During the summer months the ASB staff is kept busy by spraying around 500 roadside miles annually. This control method is used to stop the establishment of such weeds as Common Tansy, ox-eyed daisy, field Scabious, toad flax, Scentless chamomile and Canada or sow Thistle. Brush is also sprayed to slow down encroachment on roadsides.
No Spray Agreements
The County does recognize that not all producers use herbicide on their farm or acreage. The County does offer a No-Spray Agreement. The agreement must be signed with the County before April 30 each year to ensure no spraying is done near to private property. The agreements and signs are available from County ASB Staff at Public Works. .
A No–Spray Agreement is in affect only until July 1st annually to control the weeds to the satisfaction of the ASB staff. It is up to the landowner to contact the ASB staff if they would like an extension past the 1st of July.
If your property is mowed and visibly taken care of, the County will not spray it.
[See Spraying Map]
No Spray Agreement
March 23, 2020 (and until further notice) Individuals who want to enter into a No Spray Agreement should download the form, fill it out, and send it as a picture by phone or fax the form to Keith or Warren (see contact information below). Arrangement will be made for signs to be picked up.
Pest Control
The County of St. Paul has conducted and will continue to conduct surveys of crops during the summer to keep a vigilant eye out to prevent pests from establishing and to contain when found within the municipality. We also undertake a number of other activities to control pests in the County.
Available for purchase:
Mouse Poison $3.00/bag
Strychnine $11/bottle
Health Canada announced on March 4, 2020 that the strychnine registration program
for gophers will be phased out over the next three years
Livestock Predation
We offer domestic livestock producers assistance when livestock is being threatened and damaged. Various methods can be used to try and help producers protect their herds. Not to be used as a population control tactic.
Richardson's Ground Squirrels
The County’s Ag. Service Department, as a certified government agent, sells strychnine bait products to farmers for the control of Richardson’s Ground Squirrels.
The program runs in the spring when they first emerge on into the summer. Spring is the best time to use baits when food sources are scarce. Check in the spring for availability and pricing.
Beavers
The County manages beavers in three ways: Blasting, Cleaning, Installing a Water Leveling Device. If you want to know more about trapping, please contact Public Works.
NOTE: The Spring 2020 Beaver Reduction Program that was expected to run from April 13 to June 26, 2020 has been suspended for the season because of the Coronavirus.
The County of St. Paul has services available for private owners, to remove beavers that cause flooding to farmland and or property. The fee for Beaver Dam removal is $250/dam.
Wild Boars
County of St. Paul works with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development whereby individuals submitting the ears of a wild boar will be reimbursed $50/pair of ears. Individuals will be required to complete a declaration before payment will be made.
Contact
If you have an Agriculture related question we invite you to contact the County of St. Paul using the contact information found on this page.
Contact Information
TIM MAHDIUK, Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 780-645-3301
Keith Kornelsen, Agriculture Fieldman
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 780-645-3006
Warren Leister, Assistant Agriculture Fieldman
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 780-645-3006
Address:
5015 - 49 Avenue
St. Paul, AB T0A 3A4
Fax: 780-645-3104
Regular Hours:
8:30am - 4:30pm
Closed for lunch from 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Closed all Statutory Holidays
