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Agricultural Service Board
ASB contact and department information...
Coyote Predation in Livestock
Producing livestock in the Boreal Region has many challenges and coyote
predation is one of them. There are several management practices that
agricultural producers can use to limit or eliminate the losses caused
by predation.
There are a few cost effective management practices that can help to
eliminate predation before it starts and thereby keeping more money in
your pocket. Dead livestock, still born young and afterbirth attract
coyotes and other predators. It is important to have a management plan
for the proper disposal of your waste materials. If an on farm bury pit
is your choice of carcass disposal, it should be two meters deep, cover
the dead animals with lime and then cover with soil. This should help
deter the presence of some predators.
Cattle
There are management practices that can help control predation while
calving your cows. Some of these are;
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Maintain regular surveillance during calving season, especially with
first calf heifers, and animals known to have trouble birthing.
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Avoid placement of pregnant cows in bush pastures. Bringing the
cattle close to home and keeping a close eye on them is one of the
most effective tools in preventing coyote predation.
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Sick newborns are the most vulnerable, and healthy cows are more
likely to produce healthy calves. Cows that are borderline deficient
in copper, selenium and vitamins A and E can have weaker calves.
Therefore, cows should have a complete trace mineral supplement that
includes vitamins. Also, injecting the calves with vitamin A, D and
E, as well as selenium will promote herd health.
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Maintain fences to prevent young calves from wandering outside of
calving areas and away from the protection of their mothers.
 Shooting
and trapping are other options to use in your overall management plan.
Landholders can shoot coyotes on their land or authorize a resident to
do so throughout the year. Keep in mind that Federal Gun Legislation
must be followed at all times. During the fur season, a landholder may
obtain a resident trapper’s license from Alberta Fish and Wildlife or
provide written authority to another resident who holds a trappers
license to trap or snare coyotes on his property. However first time
trappers may have to successfully complete a trapping course.
For information on hunting and trapping regulations please contact your
local fish and wildlife office.
For more information on livestock predation issues please contact the
Smoky Lake County Agricultural Services Board @ (780) 656-3730.
2011 Emergency Registration for 2% Liquid Strychnine Concentrate
Emergency registration of 2% Liquid Strychnine Concentrate has once
again been granted for control of Richardson Ground Squirrels on
agricultural land.
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This product is only available to producers with SEVERE infestations
of Richardson Ground Squirrels. An infestation is considered severe
if there are 50 mounds per 100m or 30% crop damage.
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Producers must fill out and sign an “Acknowledgement of Purchase and
use of Product” agreement at the time of purchase and must complete
and return a product evaluation form after baiting has been
completed.
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the Agricultural Fieldman will supply labels for containers of mixed
bait.
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Producers must follow all label instructions and Alberta Agriculture
and PMRA regulations. Any misuse may result in prosecution.
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Producers must phone ahead to arrange pick-up with qualified ASB
staff.
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The price of 2% Liquid Strychnine is $7.00 per bottle and a maximum
of two cases will sold at a time.
For more information or to arrange pick up please contact the Smoky Lake
County Agricultural Services Board @ (780) 656-3730.
2011 Vegetation Management Program
 As
spraying season approaches, ASB staff is preparing for the upcoming
spray season. Starting this year the ASB will be implementing our
Vegetation Management Plan as per County Policy 62-15-01. Spray
operations will commence June 1st as long as weather and growing
conditions permit. Spraying will be conducted for the purposes of brush
and weed control.
Landowners who do not want spraying to be conducted along their property
are requested to sign a Right-of-Way Vegetation Control Application (for
chemical spray exemption). The County will then install permanent “DO
NOT SPRAY” signs. Landowners posting these signs then assume all
responsibility to control weeds and brush along the road right-of-way.
For more information on types of pesticides being used or any other
program detail, please contact the Smoky Lake County Agricultural
Services Board @ (780) 656-3730.
Fusarium Head Blight
 Fusarium
head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum, and is a serious
fungal disease of wheat, barley, oats and other small cereal grains and
corn.
Fusarium graminearum has been present at very low levels in Alberta
since 1989. It has been increasing in incidence and severity in southern
Alberta, where in 2009 it resulted in grade reductions due to the
presence of FDK’s especially in highly susceptible wheat varieties grown
under irrigation, but the pathogen remains relatively rare in the rest
of the province at this time. Although we have not had any major
outbreaks in this area it is still important to know what to look for.
Click on the link below to view some very important (FHB) information or
contact the Smoky Lake County Agricultural Services Board @ (780)
656-3730 for more information.
Fusarium Head Information Poster
Growers
encouraged to check bins, even if canola went in dry
With the warmer than usual April, air circulation patterns in your
stored canola have changed, which could mean hot spots and an elevated
spoilage risk. It’s time to check your bins.
"All bins should be checked, but especially large steel bins of 5,000
bushels or more," says Jim Bessel, senior agronomy specialist with the
Canola Council of Canada. "With the intensity of the sun and with 20°C
days, we are starting to see some issues with spoilage — even for canola
that went into the bin dry."
 For
big bins, the issue is increased compaction. That pressure reduces air
flow, and with less air flow, molds can grow. Mold growth generates
heat, which triggers the canola to heat and spoil.
Growers who put tough canola in the bin last fall must be extra
vigilant. "It may have been the cold winter temperatures that kept that
tough canola stable. Now with the warm temperatures, it’s at risk,"
Bessel says.
The Canola Council of Canada agronomists report that surface
temperatures on some stored canola have reached 20°C already this year.
"If that grain isn’t dry, it will likely spoil in a hurry," Bessel says.
When the sun warms the outside of the bin, warm air moves up near the
outside wall and down through the centre of the grain mass. The cooler
canola in the centre of the bin reabsorbs moisture, creating an area of
higher moisture and temperature that is prone to rapid spoilage.
For bins without aeration and temperature monitoring cables, growers are
encouraged to turn the grain by augering one third of the canola out of
the bin. With this method, growers get a look at the condition of the
stored product, and it interrupts any increase in temperature and
moisture in the central core.
At this time of year, growers should stabilize bin temperature between
10 to 15°C. If stored properly, canola can maintain its quality for two
to three years.
For more information
contact your Canola Council of Canada
Agronomist
This media release is supported regionally by:
Alberta Canola Producers Commission; SaskCanola; Manitoba Canola Growers
Association; Canola Council of Canada; Peace River Agriculture
Development Fund; B.C. Ministry of Agriculture & Lands.
Tax Deferral for Cattle
Producers
On September 8, 2009 the Federal Government released an expanded list of
municipalities eligible for Tax Deferral on breeding stock which
includes Smoky Lake County.
The tax deferral allows eligible producers in designated areas to defer
income tax on the sale of breeding livestock for one year to help
replenish breeding stock in the following year. In the case of
consecutive years of drought designation, producers may defer sales
income to the first year in which the area is no longer designated.
For more information follow the link to the Agriculture and Agri-Food
website or contact Scott or Kurt at (780) 656-3730.
http://www.agr.gc.ca/cb/index_e.php?s1=n&s2=2009&page=n90908
New Cattle Insurance Program for Feedlot Operators
The Alberta government is offering feedlot operators a new form of risk
management with the introduction of Cattle Price Insurance Program
(CPIP). This program will be administered by AFSC and is available for
purchase.
The Cattle Price Insurance Program (CPIP) is a voluntary,
producer-funded insurance product that protects against significant
declines in Alberta fed-cattle prices. CPIP offers feedlot operators
two types of insurance: one for price risk and the other for basis
risk. Basis-only insurance protects against the difference between U.S.
and Canadian cattle prices while price insurance covers all three
components of price risk - the futures price risk, currency exchange
risk, and basis risk. CPIP is designed to be an effective price risk
management tool reflective of the risk to producers feeding cattle in
Alberta.
Work is currently underway by Agriculture Financial Services Corporation
(AFSC) and the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) to develop a
feeder and calf insurance program as well.
For more information please see
www.afsc.ca, or contact your
local AFSC office.
2010
Agricultural Chairperson's Report
2010 has once again seen changes
within the Smoky Lake County Agricultural Service Board (ASB). Assistant
Agricultural Fieldman Kurt Holdis left at year end to pursue a career in
the private sector. On behalf of the ASB we wish him all the best in his
future endeavors. Also due to changes in the provincial grant funding
structure, the Smoky Lake County ASB has entered into a regional
partnership agreement to access grand fund with Thorhild County ASB to
provide continued support for the Environmental Sustainable Agricultural
(AESA) extension program. We have been successful in obtaining $60,000
per year for the next three years as part of the new environmental
streaming portion of the total ASB grant that is provided by the
province.
Last year agriculture has continued to face challenges with fluctuating
commodity prices, rising input costs and the further challenge faced
with this past year’s abundance of rain fall. The Smoky Lake County ASB
staff will continue to deliver our vegetation management, roadside
mowing, weed inspections, problem wildlife and now the regional
partnership environmental extension programs. We are currently in the
process of hiring a new Assistant Agricultural Fieldman/Field Services
to help carry out the provincially mandated role of Agricultural Service
Boards to promote and enhance sustainable agriculture.
Finally, I would like to thank our current ASB staff, Scott Franchuk and
Evonne Zukiwsky for their hard and diligent work serving the farmers and
ranchers of Smoky Lake County.
On behalf of the Smoky Lake Agricultural Service Board members and
staff, I wish you all a safe and productive 2011.
Ron Bobocel
Chairperson
AG Fieldman's Report
In 2010 the ASB was extremely busy. With a great growing season our
staff was challenged to keep up with the roadside vegetation management.
The rain also created some flooding and drainage issues for the
residents and our County roads which kept staff on their toes. A boat
was purchased to help find problem areas and seemed to alleviate most of
these problems.
The County hosted the RCMP Musical Ride which was organized by the ASB
and I would like to thank all staff that helped and the public that
attended to make the event so successful. The ASB is continuing to
improve the overall operations of the department by reviewing, updating
and creating new policies to maximize efficiency. We look forward to
another busy year and continue to work with the public and the farmers
to resolve all issues that arise.
Roadside Spray Program
90% of all County roads were mowed twice and anticipate
having all roads mowed twice in 2011. Approximately
360 miles were sprayed
for weed and brush control.
Problem Wildlife
Pest Control continues to be a major activity for the
ASB. Liquid strychnine and 1080 tablets were used to control the pest
gophers and coyotes an will be available in 2011.
Beaver Control Program:
approximately
62 problem beavers were removed from areas where agricultural land
or County roads were being flooded. As well, approximately 121 beaver
dams were removed to restore the natural flow.
Surveys and Inspections
I would like to thank all the farmers that participated
in the surveys and inspections that were conducted.
Insect and Disease Inspections
ASB staff was also extremely busy conducting various
surveys for the following pests and diseases:
Club Root
- 2010 surveys showed no positive tests
Grasshoppers
- 2010 surveys showed very limited amounts
Fusarium
- 2010 surveys showed no positive tests.
Wheat Midge
- 2010 surveys showed no positive tests
Weed Surveys
- 65 field surveys were conducted
Eugene Senetza
Agricultural Fieldman
Alberta Environmentally Sustainable
Agriculture (AESA) Program
 Along
with the excitement of a new year, 2011 has brought along some changes
to the Sustainable Agriculture side of things. The provincial
government had the opportunity to make changes to the existing Alberta
Environmental Sustainable Agriculture (AESA) grant. These changes now
allow municipalities with no environmental programming to apply for
program funding, or for municipalities with existing program to revamp
their existing applications.
After a 15 year partnership, County
of St. Paul decided to take their environmental programming in a
different direction, allowing Smoky Lake County and County of Thorhild
to form a new partnership.
This new partnership was formed with
one main goal in mind: to improve the quality of ground and surface
water systems in the Smoky Lake and Thorhild Counties. This is hoped to
be achieved through an awareness to implementation extension program;
using newsletters, brochures, demonstrations, workshops, farm tours and
one-on-one work with producers to complete their Environmental Farm
Plans (EFPs) and apply for Growing Forward funding. Over the next three
years, Smoky Lake and Thorhild Counties are committed to bringing
awareness to the importance of water well testing by collecting
benchmark information and assisting producers in developing and
implementing beneficial management practices to their farming
operations.
This program is largely based on the
sustainable agriculture needs of the local producers. If you have any
questions, concerns or need some assistance in completing your EFP,
please contact me.
Evonne
Zukiwski
Conservation Technologist
SHATTERING COMMON MYTHS
“I
own my property right to the water’s edge”
The vast majority of lake front property owners in Alberta do NOT own
their land right to the water’s edge. In fact, if a Municipal or
Environmental Reserve doesn’t separate your lot from the lake, the most
lakeward extent of your property is usually the bank of the water body.
Very few exceptions exist. In Alberta, cottage properties are legally
defined by their title and the registered survey plan of the
subdivision. It doesn’t matter what the real estate agent or seller
said, the land title will tell you what you own and the survey plan will
show you visually the dimensions and extent of your property.
“A septic field is good enough for getting rid of sewage and grey water”
This may have been true with limited development and when a lake
property was only a weekend cabin receiving occasional use, but today we
are living at the lake year round and in permanent homes. Septic fields
can be effective in dealing with limited amounts of solid waste but are
less effective at containing liquid wastes. Highly nutrient liquid
wastes can move through soil and into our lakes. It is recommended, at
the very least, that pump-out holding tanks be used instead.
“As a lakefront property owner, I can keep people off ‘my’ lakeshore &
restrict others from using my dock”
 The
beds and shores of most lakes are Crown owned and therefore public land
for everyone to use. You cannot prevent the public from using the shore
or a municipal reserve in front of your property. Seasonal piers and
boat lifts located on a lake bed without a permit are technically
(legally) a trespass on Crown land. Any structure left on public land
without authority could be assumed by the pubic as an invitation for
use. Although a private structure, it would be difficult for a owner to
initiate a civil action against someone else for using their pier.
NOTE: The owner of such a structure is however liable for it and its
use by others.
“I can do what I want with my property”
Just like in the city, bylaws and development restrictions limit what
can and cannot be done on private property. A permit from the County is
required for all structural improvements and for permission to occupy or
develop within reserve lands.
“Weeds decrease the quality of my lake and value of property!”
Many people consider aquatic plants like cattails and reeds as “weeds”.
These plants however play an important role in maintaining the health of
our lakes. They stabilize the bed and shore, reduce soil movement and
erosion and are important habitat areas for fish, waterfowl and other
wildlife. Aquatic plants also make use of nutrients in lakes that would
otherwise contribute to unwanted algae growth. Too much growth
however, limits boat access to open water. In such cases, a boat lane
may be cut through heavy stands of aquatic plants, however an
approval is required.
“A lake or stream is a convenient place to dispose of sewage and waste
water - because it’s diluted, it won’t hurt anything!”
Streams link surface runoff within a watershed directly to some
collection point like a lake. Waste diluted by water in a stream will
enter a lake and any nutrients dissolved in the water is then available
for algae growth. Wastes from cottage use can result in a considerable
input to the nutrient load within a lake.
“My property needs a sand beach to add value”
If time and geology didn’t create a sand beach naturally, it’s unlikely
an artificial sand beach will remain where you put it. Don’t waste
your money on replacing lost sand year after year - use the public beach
(it is safer for swimming and protected from boating).
Common Bed & Shore Activities Requiring
Approvals / Permits
Aquatic Plant Control
·
Temporary Field Authority (Public Lands Division)
·
Approval (Water Management)
·
Special
Permit - Chemical Control (Pollution Control Division)
Boat
Launch / Pad
·
License
of Occupation (Public Lands Division)
·
Development Permit (Smoky Lake County)
Sand
/ Earth (fill, removal or dredging)
·
Letter
of Authority (Public Land Services)
·
Approval (Water Management)
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