Leduc County, Alberta – Leduc County council declared a Local State of Agricultural Disaster at its special council meeting this morning, in response to extreme drought conditions impacting local producers.
“Leduc County council recognizes the struggles our local producers are facing. By making this declaration, we are focusing attention on this issue and are encouraging other levels of government to provide support where possible,” says Mayor John Whaley.
Soil moisture ratings and crop conditions in Alberta continue to decline with Leduc County and the rest of the northwest region rated as the driest in the province. In addition, some Leduc County producers have reported further losses resulting from grasshopper infestations.
“Producers in contact with Leduc County are expressing concern with the ongoing drought conditions,” says Garett Broadbent, Director of Agricultural Services. “Some area producers have already applied for early assessment of losses on insured crops.”
Prior to declaring the Local State of Agricultural Disaster, Leduc County reached out to the provincial government by way of a letter dated July 13 to request plans and programming to support our agricultural producers. Supports could include reducing rental rates for dugout water pumping, implementing drought disaster loan programs and supporting the Federal Livestock Tax Deferral provision.
In both 2002 and 2009, Leduc County declared a Local State of Agricultural Disaster due to severe lack of annual precipitation and adverse growing conditions. The declaration signals the severity of the situation in the municipality for the provincial and federal governments.
Incorporated in 1963, Leduc County is a rural municipality located in central Alberta. Encompassing 2,668 square kilometres and divided into seven electoral boundaries, Leduc County has a population of 13,524 residents and 4,965 private dwellings.