AREN SKOGSTAD
Agricultural Services Manager askogstad @ LSAC . ca 780.785.3411 TF 1.866.880.5722
REPORT FROM AGRICULTURAL SERVICES
Helping cultivate diversified , competitive and profitable agriculture and agri-business industries that contribute to the economic , environmental and social prosperity of the County .
2016 proved to be a significant challenge for County agricultural producers who found themselves searching for moisture in the spring and seeding in the dust . Later in the season , they were begging for the rains to quit as they watched their fields become increasingly saturated . Crops were ultimately snowed under in late September . Roughly half of the cropped acres within our County remain in field as we transition into the spring of 2017 .
In response to the harvest crisis , an awareness campaign was launched . “ Crop in Field ” signs were distributed to producers with the intention of keeping trespassers off the unharvested acres . Print and social media were leveraged with similar messaging to maximize awareness of the issue , and to reduce potential damage caused by traveling over remaining crops .
Agriculture Services does not recommend any specific spring harvest or salvage option . However , if a producer determines that burning is the best alternative , our aim is to ensure it ’ s done in a safe , correct manner . Please visit LSAC . ca / Agriculture for more information in this regard .
While the wet weather ultimately became a hindrance late season , it provided ideal growing conditions for much of the summer . However , these conditions weren ’ t exclusive to desirable vegetation . During the 2016 growing season , Agricultural Services applied a spot herbicide to more than half of the County ’ s graveled right-of-ways , targeting noxious weeds , prohibited noxious weeds and brush . Herbicide application for brush control was also completed on recently mulched right-of-ways . The success of this program was largely due to the acquisition of two new truck-mounted spray skids prior to the 2016 program . Residents who see an advanced population of noxious or prohibited noxious weeds within a municipal roadway are asked to contact Agricultural Services .
The County makes a significant effort to maintain control of noxious and prohibited noxious weeds on County property . We ask that landowners make a similar effort . As part of the weed control program , we appoint two seasonal Weed Inspectors . Operating under the authority of the provincial Weed Control Act , these inspectors identify properties with advanced weed populations , or properties where little or no weed control has been initiated . The inspectors issue weed inspection reports to make landowners aware of a specific issue , and to provide information on identification and control options . An inspection report is not a weed notice . However , a weed notice may be issued if a landowner neglects to make contact , or is unwilling to initiate control on these problem weeds . We have a common goal to eliminate noxious and prohibited noxious weeds within our County .
Animal Control Officers Tom Sprinkle and Craig Dow had a very busy 2016 . The year ’ s excess precipitation came with a subsequent increase in the number of beaver control issues . Despite a lack of a significant snow load in 2016 / 17 , there is still a substantial amount of water remaining within the County . Our Animal Control Officers are gearing up for a busy spring beaver control season . First and foremost , the priority is to protect municipal infrastructure , followed by private buildings , cropland , and nuisance complaints . The bounty program for beavers remains in place for 2017 at $ 20 per tail . We ask that
LSAC ACTIVITY REPORT | County Progress 2016 / 17 780.785.3411 www . LSAC . ca