News

The Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness Act

By Nick Dunn

The agricultural community in Alberta is voicing concerns over Bill C-293, the Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness Act. While the bill is intended to bolster Canada’s ability to respond to future pandemics, producers fear it could have unintended consequences for the livestock and food production industries.

Bill C-293 was introduced as a proactive measure to enhance Canada’s response to global health crises. The legislation proposes frameworks for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response by identifying potential risks and vulnerabilities within various sectors, including agriculture. While ensuring public health is undeniably important, the bill’s broad language has raised alarms among Alberta’s farmers, ranchers, and Agricultural Service Boards. During the last Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation fall Town Hall meeting with Minister RJ. Sigurdson, boards were asked to write their Senators and voice the opinion of Albertan producers. With an increased volume of letters, these mutual concerns will have a greater impact in the Senate and ensure nothing is pushed under the rug.

While attending our annual Agricultural Service Board Conference last January, the provincial committee expressed that many Albertan municipalities have written letters to the Senators of Canada expressing the concerns of the bill’s criteria if passed. This includes a letter from Flagstaff County’s Agricultural Service Board Chairman that was sent in December 2024.

The primary concern with Bill C-293 among Alberta’s agricultural industry is the possibility of increased restrictions and hindrance on industrial animal agriculture. Although the Bill has good intentions, as it is worded today, it imposes significant risks due to broad statements such as: “regulate commercial activities that can contribute to pandemic risk, including industrial animal agriculture”; “promote commercial activities that can help reduce pandemic risk, including the production of alternative proteins” and “phase out commercial activities that disproportionately contribute to pandemic risk, including activities that involve high-risk species”. The creators of the bill have not considered what Canadian Producers currently have in place for risk management today. We have an effective biosecurity system that monitors zoonotic diseases – which can spread between animals and humans – such as the Canadian On-Farm Beef Cattle Biosecurity Standard. The bill has been brought forward from our experience with the COVID-19 pandemic, a foreign disease that does not resemble how livestock is handled in Canada. Many Albertan producers will be impacted by this bill; about 40% of Alberta’s farm cash receipts are from livestock production contributing over $10 billion in 2023.

While disease prevention is crucial, many farmers worry that overly strict policies could disrupt traditional farming practices, impose unnecessary restrictions on livestock movement, and negatively impact food production. The wording in the Bill threatens Canada’s agricultural industry and increases the control the federal government has over our producers and their livelihood.

Currently the bill is at the second reading in the Senate. The most recent activity was the debate on October 22, 2024, and it has yet to be rescheduled for discussion.

Nick Dunn is Flagstaff County’s Agricultural Fieldman. He can be reached via email at: ndunn@flagstaff.ab.ca or by phone at: 780-384-4138.

Survey: What We Heard

We asked you to complete our 2026 Business Plan Survey online or in print by February 4, 2025. Now here’s a look at what we heard.

Scroll down for survey results, or click HERE to download a PDF.

(Please keep in mind that these survey results, along with the ideas submitted to our online Brainstorm Board and all feedback from our Coffee with your Councillor event, will be evaluated by Council during the review of the Program and Services Priorities on March 24 and will be considered by Council in the development of the 2026 Business Plan and Budget.)

Win $500 in Flagstaff Bucks!

County and hamlet residents, there are three ways to earn an entry in our February draw for $500 in Flagstaff Bucks! In fact, it’s as easy as ABC!

A) Another Survey

Complete our 25-question, multiple-choice 2026 Business Plan Survey and you’ll earn an entry in our draw for $500 in Flagstaff Bucks! Plus, your valued input will be considered in the development of the 2026 Business Plan.

To take the survey, click HERE. Thank you for your feedback!

B) Brainstorm Board

Got an idea for a new program or service worthy of our online “Brainstorm Board” at: https://www.flagstaff.ca/ideas?

Don’t keep it to yourself! Share it at: https://www.flagstaff.ca/share-your-idea!

Each innovative submission will earn you an entry in our draw for $500 in Flagstaff Bucks!

C) Coffee with your Councillor

Be sure to stop by the Flagstaff County Administration Building between 2 and 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4 for Coffee with your Councillor! Each attendee will receive an entry in our draw for $500 in Flagstaff Bucks! Tours of the shop next door will be available.

Click HERE to find out who your councillor is.

More on Flagstaff Bucks

So what are Flagstaff Bucks, anyway?

Well, the Flagstaff Bucks Program allows consumers to spend “Flagstaff Bucks” at participating small businesses in the Flagstaff Region. The program offers denominations of $25 and $50 to be spent at any participating retail location or small business in the Flagstaff Region.

The Flagstaff Bucks Program was created to keep money in our local economy. With every dollar spent locally, a story unfolds as that dollar circulates within the economy. Understanding that story and knowing what you can do as a business owner and individual consumer to keep the most of each dollar here in the Flagstaff Region can make a difference.

If you are a business owner in the Flagstaff Region who wants to participate or learn more about the Flagstaff Bucks Program, email klefsrud@flagstaff.ab.ca.

Border Protection!

By Nick Dunn

Shelterbelts are a lot like border protection – they provide security and stability, standing as a barrier against the elements while supporting everything within. Just like borders help safeguard a region, shelterbelts shield farmland, livestock, and ecosystems, offering a wide range of benefits.

Winter may be here, but it’s never too early to start thinking about planting trees for spring. Flagstaff County is once again accepting applications for our Shelterbelt Establishment Program, an initiative that makes planting trees more affordable by covering half the cost for rural residents. Applications are open until the end of January, so there’s still time to plan your shelterbelt project. By purchasing trees in bulk, the county can secure discounted rates for the tree order.

Flagstaff County also offers rental equipment including tree planters and a plastic mulch applicator for weed control, making the process even easier. The county recognizes how valuable trees are for the prairie landscape, offering countless benefits that go beyond aesthetics.

So, what makes planting shelterbelts and windbreaks so worthwhile? The benefits are as diverse as they are practical. For farmers, shelterbelts can boost crop yields by capturing snow in the winter and reducing evapotranspiration losses. In a dry year, that added moisture can make a world of difference. They also create a more stable microclimate, reducing wind speeds across fields and helping crops like winter wheat, barley, rye, and hay stand tall, even in strong winds. And when it comes to spraying, shelterbelts help limit spray drift, keeping inputs right where they’re needed.

Livestock can also benefit from shelterbelts by providing shade from the heat and protection from biting winds, improving cattle health and productivity. They also cut down on dust, noise, and odors, reducing respiratory issues in animals. And let’s not forget the original reason for shelterbelt planting: preventing wind erosion, which remains an issue in many areas.

On the biodiversity front, shelterbelts provide habitat for pollinators, boosting oilseed yields. They also attract birds and beneficial insects, which can help keep pest populations in check.

But for all their benefits, we’ve seen shelterbelts disappearing over the years and ageing. Thankfully, many in our county are still committed to planting and preserving them. Alberta tree expert Toso Bozic recommends planting a diverse mix of tree species in shelterbelts to avoid the risks posed by disease or pests wiping out an entire row. Mixing species can serve as a natural barrier, making it harder for pests or diseases to spread.

If you’re ready to plant trees and reap these incredible benefits, don’t forget to submit your application by January 31, 2025. This program is open to rural residents of the county, and you can apply HERE, or visit the County office to fill out an order in person.

Take advantage of this great program, plant some trees, and give back to the land!

Nick Dunn is Flagstaff County’s Agricultural Fieldman. He can be reached via email at: ndunn@flagstaff.ab.ca or by phone at: 780-384-4138.

Agricultural Recycling

By Nick Dunn

For years, farmers faced a tough question: how to handle agricultural plastic waste. Often, the solution was to bury it, burn it with other farm waste, or stash it away in a shed. But with growing awareness around environmental stewardship, recycling initiatives have become a key priority. Thanks to Cleanfarms’ Bring ’em All Back program that was launched in 2022, farmers have a streamlined way to recycle their agricultural plastics efficiently and responsibly. We are now closing on the Bring ’em All Back pilot project with Flagstaff transitioning to retail jug collection in 2023 and all municipalities to be completed by December 31, 2024.

Cleanfarms, a national non-profit organization, is dedicated to helping Canadian farmers manage their plastic waste sustainably. Their work is tailored to each province, meeting unique recycling needs and addressing logistical challenges across Canada. Partnering with local governments, agricultural groups, and producers, Cleanfarms offers collection and recycling solutions at little to no cost, and for some producers they have turned it into profit.

By participating in this program, you’re actively reducing environmental impact, conserving natural resources, and supporting the production of recycled plastic goods. Shifting away from traditional disposal methods like burning and burying waste cuts down greenhouse gas emissions and keeps our landscapes free of litter. Producers are a major component to the recycling process and when waste materials are handled appropriately, there is circulation that benefits all.

Products can be refilled or re-manufactured like in Nobleford, Alberta. The southern Alberta town is home to Full Circle Plastics, that recycles agricultural plastics by converting them into building materials such as synthetic deck boards, planters, or parking curbs. PolyAg Recycling LTD, a leading Canadian mechanical recycler of agricultural film is in Bashaw, Alberta. Most grain bags in central Alberta are recycled here even if producers bring them to their local landfill.

Cleanfarms accepts a range of agricultural plastics, but it’s essential that the materials be as clean as possible to prevent contamination during the recycling process. To keep it simple, here’s how and where you can recycle agricultural plastics in Flagstaff:

Grain Bags: Completely empty, remove debris, mechanically roll or bale, and return to Flagstaff Waste.

Twine: Remove debris, bag, and return to local 4-H club or Flagstaff Waste.

Silage Wrap and Bale Wrap: Remove debris, compact material, and return to Flagstaff Waste.

Containers up to 23L: Triple rinse, remove cap and label, bag in new Cleanfarms bags provided by retailers, return to ag retailer.

Totes and Drums: Thoroughly rinse, rinse, return to ag retailer.

Seed, Pesticide & Inoculant Bags: Completely empty, remove debris, bag in new Cleanfarms bags provided by retailers, return to ag retailer.

Join Flagstaff in this sustainable step forward by bringing your used plastics to participating collection sites. Your involvement helps reduce your carbon footprint, keeps our farmlands clean, and supports a growing recycling industry that’s making tangible products from recycled agricultural plastics. With local support, this initiative will continue to enhance sustainable waste management in our community.

Nick Dunn is Flagstaff County’s Agricultural Fieldman. He can be reached via email at: ndunn@flagstaff.ab.ca or by phone at: 780-384-4138.

Notice of Application

Please see the following notice from the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) regarding a confined feeding operation in Flagstaff County.

Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership

By Nick Dunn

Our governing bodies wanted to help producers to become more sustainable, so they launched a partnership in 2023. This partnership, a joint federal, provincial, and territorial effort, represents a new chapter in Canada’s commitment to sustainable agriculture. The vision behind Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP) has been built and enhanced from the previous framework Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP). SCAP has a purpose to create an agricultural system that is not only economically viable but also environmentally responsible and socially inclusive. This vision aligns with Canada’s broader commitments to combat climate change, protect natural resources, and support rural communities. Sustainability is the ability to maintain or support a process continually over time. Sustainability can lead to conservation which will support our producers with their efforts to feed the world. From an agronomy background, soil conservation is key. Our relationship with our soils is still relatively early, and we have had many changes with new technologies and inputs over the past 100 years. Being aware of our soil health is essential for long-term food security; our soil is our foundation, and our foundation is life itself.

In April 2023, Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP) was launched with $500 million in new funds, representing a 25% increase in the cost-shared portion. This five‐year (2023-2028), $3.5 billion investment includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion in cost-shared programs and activities by federal-provincial-territorial governments. The SCAP framework represents a cost-shared federal-provincial investment of $508 million over five years towards strategic programs and services for the agriculture and agri-food industry in Alberta. 

These SCAP grant programs are accessible to Albertan farmers, ranchers and processors and include the following streams: Emerging Opportunities, On-Farm Efficiency, On-Farm Value-Added, Resiliency and Public Trust, Resilient Agricultural Landscape, Value added, Water, Accelerating Agricultural Innovations and Business Risk Management Programs such as Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC). It’s safe to say there are many opportunities under SCAP for producers to address challenges, seize new opportunities and open new markets (diversification), and strengthen their resilience. Take advantage of them; it is competitive for the limited funding.

One striking new program is the On-Farm Efficiency Program that opened for applications on August 14, 2024. The program has funding streams that include energy efficiency, farm security, efficient grain handling and smart farm technology, all of which seems fitting and current for eligible Flagstaff farmers, ranchers, and processors. The overall program funding maximum per applicant is $150,000 which also presents ample opportunities for increasing efficiencies within agribusinesses. For program eligibility, more information, and how to apply, visit their website at: www.alberta.ca/sustainable-cap. Environmental Farm Plans do act as a pre-requisite for SCAP funding, and we can support you by developing those plans which have also moved to the online format. There are two upcoming virtual workshops for EFP on September 18 and 26, 2024. To register, you can email info@albertaefp.com or call 587-200-2552. Under SCAP, there are sources to help with risk management and financials that AFSC can provide. This can include crop and livestock insurance, income stabilization and lending. It’s important to stay updated with current programming as it can change year to year depending on the needs of Albertan producers.

Nick Dunn is Flagstaff County’s Agricultural Fieldman. He can be reached via email at: ndunn@flagstaff.ab.ca or by phone at: 780-384-4138.

Drought Management

By Nick Dunn

This year’s spring started with drought being the top of conversations as we were all concerned about the current moisture levels and their potential impact on the upcoming crop season. This year’s winter again, lacked a snowpack and led to minimal run-off. The Battle River was running well below normal flow rate as it peaked in May at 7.5 cubic metres/second, when normal flow for May is around 15 cubic metres/second. The Battle River starts in Battle Lake and flows east throughout the plains of Alberta and into North Battleford, Saskatchewan, where it connects with the North Saskatchewan River. Water within the Battle River is fed from run-off, which makes this river unique and a tell-tale for run-off conditions. This year’s spring sub-surface soil moisture was rated moderately low to near normal. Meteorologists also forecasted El Nino to affect Canadian prairies throughout our most precipitated month of June. El Nino is a weather pattern that we typically see every 2-7 years and can last 9-12 months. It is naturally caused by oceans being warmer than normal by more than half a degree and lasting for several months. This delivers warmer temperatures and drought to Canada and northern states, as we were experiencing. Our sponge (soil) was empty, and we needed moisture to seed into.

Just as anxiety reached its all-time high, we welcomed the early precipitation and to date we have received between 6-9 inches of rain within our borders. Crops are doing better than forecasted with many producers in the area applying fungicides to help suppress disease pressure from the warm moist conditions. Some pastures have rebounded from last year’s drought conditions with many producers completing their first cut of hay. We have also seen a slight increase in roadside haying due to the vigor within our roadsides. There are still variations within Flagstaff and across the province in terms of crop maturity and quality.

Producers know that nothing is guaranteed until it’s in the bin, or pile. We need continued precipitation throughout the rest of this year to help combat the heat and allow our crops to continue to mature. Some of the southern areas of our county are losing moisture rapidly with the heat and winds. Pictured in the map you will see that the Southwest corner of Flagstaff is experiencing extremely low precipitation accumulation once in 25 to 50 years.  

We are also in need of future years of good snow pack and run-off, as the last 3 years have seen very little.

Drought management needs to be implemented on all levels so we can be better prepared to face it in the future. Flagstaff County started a draft drought management plan when municipalities were warned this winter from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas that they need to have a plan and review active water licenses and diversions. We are currently at Stage 4 out of 5 on the Alberta Water Shortage Management Plan, with Stage 5 being severe drought. For the first time since the drought of 2001, major water license holders were asked to reduce their consumption to ensure all users get water. Most large water license holders are from the south and are related to the irrigation districts throughout the province.

So, what can producers do?  Producers need a plan specific to their operation that addresses soil and water conservation. Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation has created a template for Albertan producers to utilize and create their own Drought Management Plan that can be accessed through their website. Drought mitigation can be challenging and on a larger scale for land without irrigation, it can lead to adopting new soil management practices such as no-till, minimum till, variable rate applications, and crop rotation adjustments. Soil testing and improving soil organic matter will also help with retaining soil moisture.

For surface water, adding infrastructure like dugouts (1 per quarter), dams, pumps, wetlands, drainage systems, pipelines, tanks, water hauling equipment, and even shelterbelts are just some to list. Additional water wells to help feed infrastructure or fill reserves will also help to provide water when we need it most. For livestock producers, not only do you need to have water reserves but also feed reserves to get through dry spells.

Flagstaff County has 7 water loading stations, 5 of them open year-round that could be part of producers’ Drought Management Plan as a water source. These stations accept coins with $1 delivering approximately 150 gallons. The water is for agricultural purposes only.

Aside from infrastructure and equipment, producers also need to know their rights and the Water Act that falls under Alberta Environment and Protected Areas. Water is technically owned by the Crown, when it is frozen for winter, it is Crown land. Every human has the right to water, as human and livestock consumption is the priority. Producers can access 275,000 gallons of water per year without a license and can pull this from a creek or slough if the land around it is grazed. Water licenses and diversions can be permitted.

Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation also has a Water Pumping Program that includes satellite pumps throughout the province that can be rented to producers to help fill rural water reserves. More information on the Water Pumping Program can be found on their website.

Nick Dunn is Flagstaff County’s Agricultural Fieldman. He can be reached via email at: ndunn@flagstaff.ab.ca or by phone at: 780-384-4138.

EcDev Team earns award

Congratulations to the Flagstaff County Economic Development Team, winners of a 2023 Minister’s Award for Municipal and Public Library Excellence.

The EcDev Team earned the award for their Flagstaff Crafted program in the Building Economic Strength Category.

The award recognizes their initiative to enhance the exposure of local makers, artisans, and retailers of local products within the Flagstaff Region.

Flagstaff County Reeve Don Kroetch presented the award last week to the EcDev Team (from left): Charlene Sutter, Kerri Lefsrud and Jenalee Waring. Not pictured: Shaina Dunn.