County officials say numbers are out of control and cause damage to fences and crops
EDMONTON — Landowners want governments to do more to help control Alberta’s growing elk population and increase the compensation for damages by the roaming animals. “We would like to see the province do something to increase the elk harvest so the farmers have to feed less elk,” Dale Gervais, reeve of the Municipal District of […] Read moreStories by Mary MacArthur
Alberta researcher urges ban on Russian olive tree
The trees are considered a noxious weed in some U.S. states
LACOMBE, Alta. — The Russian olive should be banned from Alberta before it becomes an invasive species, clogging rivers and choking out native trees and fish, says an Agriculture Canada research assistant. Governments across North America once promoted the beautiful silver-leafed tree as an ideal shelter belt and ornamental tree for dry areas, but it […] Read moreRMs eager to be in public spotlight
EDMONTON — Albertans don’t need a crystal ball to predict an upcoming election, and rural councilors aren’t relying on soothsayers to ensure their message is relayed to politicians. Instead, the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties has launched a campaign to help rural councillors get their message to politicians during the expected provincial election. […] Read more
CN, Alberta district disagree on weed control
Peace River region municipality wants to clarify if CN-owned land is exempt from Alberta’s Weed Act
EDMONTON — A tussle has broken out in Alberta over what is and isn’t a weed. Alberta Agriculture says Canadian National Railway land is covered under the provincial Weed Act, but CN argues it falls under federal jurisdiction. The Municipal District of Smoky River in Alberta’s Peace River region want the government and the Alberta […] Read moreMLA gives hand in ag portfolio
EDMONTON — Everett McDonald, a northern Alberta MLA, has been appointed associate agriculture minister while agriculture minister Verlyn Olson recovers from diabetes treatment. “Yesterday I underwent an islet cell transplant and am happy to report that I am doing well and resting,” Olson tweeted. McDonald, a former reeve of Grande Prairie County, will take over […] Read more
Views on what constitutes ugly farmyard sought
Alberta county wants acreage residents’ opinions on what they consider unsightly to help design landowner use rules
An Alberta county wants to know if shipping containers and plastic covered shelters should be allowed on farms, acreages and lake communities. It is just one of the questions Cam-rose County is asking its residents as part of a land use bylaw and municipal development plan review. “In the eyes of some people, they are […] Read moreGreedy bass make pigs of themselves
LACOMBE, Alta. — Small and largemouth bass, the stars of fishing shows and loved by fishermen, are eating their way through dwindling stocks of salmon and rainbow trout in British Columbia lakes. Bass are great to eat, but they are an invasive species that is endangering native fish, said Brian Heise, a natural resources scientist […] Read more
Health-care districts give rural residents a voice
Communities in a region will work together to reduce costs
EDMONTON — Rural residents will have a greater say in how their health care works, a new rural health care review has promised. Alberta health minister Stephen Mandel, who released the report March 18 during the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties convention, promised to return more control of health care to rural regions. […] Read moreInsecticide for livestock banned
An insecticide once popular for controlling lice in cattle has been banned from use in livestock. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency withdrew the licence for malathion in livestock after reviewing the pesticide and its uses. “As a result, all malathion-based pesticides for direct application to livestock for food, including beef and dairy cattle, goats (non-milking), […] Read more
Bird movement rules lifted in B.C.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has lifted the restrictions placed on the movement of poultry in British Columbia. It’s been more than a month since avian influenza was last detected on a British Columbia poultry operation, and permits are no longer required for movement of birds and bird products within the province. International requirements are […] Read more
