Title
Declaration of Agricultural Disaster
Proposed Motions
1. That Council declare a local state of Agricultural Disaster due to the hardship that weather conditions and excessive moisture have placed on local farmers.
2. That Parkland County notify provincial and federal governments of the state of Agricultural Disaster and request a disaster recovery program be set up to address it.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration does not support the proposed motion at this time. Given the recent change in weather and increasing activities in the fields it is advised to wait and see what impact this good weather has on harvest. Staff will monitor the conditions and bring back a report and recomendation for Council's November 22, 2016 meeting.
Purpose
To declare a local state of Agricultural Disaster.
Summary
The October 25, 2016 Alberta Crop Report (Attached) states that harvest progress is struggling as percent completed is well below the annual average. Excessive moisture is the significant issue in the Parkland County area and it may result in significant crop abandonment due to inaccessibility.
In Region Four, which includes Parkland County, the Alberta Crop Report provides the following summary:
- Approximately 75% of the unharvested cereals, 84% of the unharvested spring wheat, 64% of the unharvested barley and 79% of the unharvested oats are classified as standing.
- Excessive soil moisture most notable in the west portion of the region at 60% but also in the North West at 50%. This is much less of an issue in the north portion of the region at 20% excessive.
- 100% of the region rating sub soil moisture as good
The Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) is developing a Guide for Declaring Municipal Agriculture Disasters in Alberta (Attached), it is currently in Draft form. There is a Condition Statement Tool in the guide which is intended to act as a tracking mechanism that will help municipal decision making w...
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