County Council has declared an agricultural disaster in the County of Grande Prairie. This year marks the fourth straight year of difficult conditions for local agricultural producers. 

Prolonged drought conditions have greatly reduced crop yields.

“County Council recognizes that these drought conditions are causing hardships for our agricultural community across the region,” said Reeve Beaupre. “Through this declaration, Council wishes to bring attention to the devastating conditions impacting crop and livestock producers and request more support for them.”

With low levels of precipitation this season combined with an intense heat wave over the past weeks, crop conditions are poor.

The County of Grande Prairie has received about half the amount of rainfall compared to a typical year, leading to limited moisture in the soil despite recent rain. Hay crops are yielding only 20 to 30 per cent of average at this point in the season. Barley crops are in very poor condition, with canola and wheat faring only slightly better. Overall, crop yields are expected to be significantly reduced. 

“The effects of a difficult growing season are felt across our communities,” said Reeve Beaupre. “The County is joining other municipalities across Western Canada with this declaration in the hope that the Provincial and Federal governments will take a collaborative approach to supporting the industry and individual producers.”

The County of Grande Prairie previously declared an agricultural disaster in 2019 when excessive rainfall and cool weather delayed production and led to poor quality crops.

Information provided by the County of Grande Prairie