Birch Hills County is the latest area to declare an agricultural disaster following a harsh growing season. The county, just over an hour outside of Grande Prairie, made the announcement earlier this month.
A post on the Birch Hills County Facebook page says the disaster was declared after an early drought resulted in later than normal germination of crops which was then followed by heavy rainfall and cool temperatures. A wet fall, early frost and early snowfalls then led to problems during harvest.
County council plans to write a letter to Federal and Provincial Ministers of Agriculture asking for additional support for producers.
The county is asking residents and visitors not to travel across fields that are unharvested while hunting and doing other outdoor activities. Crops that can be harvested in the spring can be damaged by vehicle and snowmobile traffic.
On November 4th, the County of Grande Prairie declared an agricultural disaster. Saddle Hills County declared its own disaster on November 7th.