BARRHEAD-It is looking like it is only a matter of time until the County of Barrhead declares a state of agricultural disaster.
That is what deputy reeve Dennis Nanninga said during his July 21 councillor report.
Earlier in the month, Nanninga said the Agricultural Services Board (ASB) met and the main topic of conversation was whether or not the municipality should declare an agricultural disaster.
BARRHEAD-The County of Barrhead ASB is comprised of seven members, three councillors and four members at large. The four public members all have extensive farming backgrounds as do two from the council, being Nanninga and Coun Marvin Schatz. The third council representative Coun Bill Lane has served on the board for many years and as such has a strong knowledge of the industry.
Nanninga also noted the board members are spread across the county and are familiar with the different weather challenges each region faces.
"In the past, we have always tried to wait to see if things were going to improve before we declare a state of agricultural disaster," he said, adding often waiting until the harvest to make the final decision.
However, Nanninga said this year it is unlikely they will have to wait that long.
"This time around the group felt it was impossible for a good portion of the county will look much different in September, regardless of if weather conditions improve or if you are talking pasture land, crops or hay," he said. "We did a good job of covering the subject and in the end, we believe we are in a disaster position."
Nanninga added that they all agreed that the county met the criteria for declaring a state of agricultural disaster, he said there is a protocol the ASB needs to follow and that councillors should expect the board's recommendation soon.
"It is a really difficult thing to do [declaring a state of agricultural disaster] because many of the crops actually look pretty good," he said. "But there was a stretch during seeding where we had several hard rains and any barley and canola that was seeded just washed out. Hay and pasture look pretty good, but the quality, especially the protein level is very poor."
In the Town and Country This Week's coverage area, both Athabasca County and Westlock County have declared states of agricultural disaster.
It should be noted that no funding is attached to the declaration, but by making it municipalities hope it helps expedite farmer's insurance claims and to draw the attention of both the provincial and federal government.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
