HIGH RIVER - Foothills County has declared an agricultural disaster for drought.
Reeve Delilah Miller said the decision was made after hearing from County staff on June 28 about the ongoing drought and current crop conditions.
Miller said some areas are experiencing a near 100 per cent crop failure.
“Crops are an inch or two high and already heading out, if they even got that far,” she said.
She described conditions in some areas of the County as “pretty abysmal.”
“We’re in pretty dire straits here, and we’re experiencing another hot spell.”
Information provided by Foothills County says a lack of moisture and unseasonably high temperature have affected 50 to 90 per cent of annual crop and perennial forage stands, and areas south of Blackie and High River are most severely affected.
"Most cereal crops are in the boot to flowering stage and any additional moisture will have little effect on 2023 yields," the County said.
The Municipal Agricultural Disaster declaration serves to bring awareness to the Provincial and Federal governments, and to the public, of the challenging conditions agricultural producers are facing.
As the dry weather continues, Miller said the County will have to consider implementing water restrictions.
“We certainly all need to start conserving water on a pretty serious scale here.”
Vulcan County declared an agricultural disaster on June 21.
