Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Northern Sunrise County has officially joined the mass number of Alberta municipalities claiming Agricultural Disaster, mainly for livestock producers in the municipality.
“On August 8, 2025, a decision with an e-mail vote was made by Council to declare an agricultural disaster for livestock producers,” explains Reeve Corinna Williams. “Council ratified this e-mail decision with an official motion on August 26 at the regularly scheduled Council meeting.”
Williams says the county is making this declaration to raise awareness of the challenging conditions faced by agricultural producers in the region.
In a press release on the county website, they Indicate between March 1 and July 31, precipitation levels ranged from just 30 percent to 47 percent of the 30-year average across the municipality.
“The Agricultural Service Board discussed the potential declaration of an agricultural disaster at their Board meeting on July 23,” she explains. “The Board requested Administration collect data on precipitation and have discussions with livestock producers on the condition of their hay, greenfield production and pastureland. Once this information was provided to the Board, it was requested that Council declare the agricultural disaster for the livestock producers.”
Williams notes the extreme drought conditions are impacting all producers, with livestock operations feeling the brunt of the drought conditions.
Pastureland is in extremely poor condition, and hay and greenfield yields are averaging only 25 percent of normal.
She explains the lack of moisture has resulted in little or no regrowth for pasture, putting livestock producers in a very challenging position to try to feed their herds through the upcoming fall and winter.
With nearly all the Peace Region facing similar devastating drought conditions, finding feed for the winter is not only challenging but also costly as it must be brought in from other areas.
“The County has requested to be added as a prescribed region for the 2025 Livestock Tax Deferral federal program,” she says. “This would help them as many producers have already determined that they will need to sell off some of their cattle. Council also asked if any programs that are available to producers be fast tracked to minimize the negative impact on them. For the County, the other important piece of the declaration is acknowledging that our producers have been impacted and that we will continue to advocate for them with the provincial and federal governments.”
Willaims says that Northern Sunrise County recognizes the important role livestock producers play in the region, and province.
She says they support local families, strengthen rural communities, and provide the food all people depend on.
“We will provide the support and advocacy that they need as they are facing difficult times,” she concludes.