August 17, 2021
News Release
DECLARATION OF AGRICULTURAL DISASTER – KNEEHILL COUNTY
At the August 17th, 2021, Council Meeting, Kneehill County Council moved to declare an Agricultural Disaster for Kneehill County.
This declaration was made in response to record low precipitation levels, coupled with a prolonged heatwave during the 2021 growing season which has compounded drought conditions across the entirety of Kneehill County, impacting producers from all agriculture sectors.
Provincial moisture and crop data, in addition to local data from producers, contributed to this declaration. Annual and perennial crops have suffered severe yield and quality impacts due to extreme environmental conditions. Livestock producers have reported poor pasture quality with little to no regrowth and are struggling to secure adequate stock water supplies, as surface water sources and watersheds in Kneehill County have also been impacted by the intense hot and dry conditions.
This declaration is being made to bring awareness to the difficult situation livestock and grain producers are facing and will continue to face in the coming weeks and months.
While municipal declarations of agricultural disasters do not automatically trigger access to increased funding programs, Kneehill County understands the importance of our agriculture industry and is committed to working with all levels of government to pursue support for livestock and grain producers throughout this difficult time.
For more information on this declaration, please contact Kneehill County Agriculture Services at 403-443-5541.
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