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The Agricultural Services Department is directed by Lamont County’s Agricultural Service Board (ASB). The ASB functions as the voice of agriculture by advising and responding to issues of local, provincial and national interest.
The Agricultural Service Board (ASB) and department strives to act with respect to, and assist in, proper land utilization and its production with a view to improving the economic well being of the farmer, and to develop and promote agricultural policies to meet the needs of the agricultural community of Lamont County.
Through County Council, the ASB and Agricultural Service Department work diligently to promote the ASB core values of:
Conservation
We believe in the importance of conserving our natural resources, traditional agriculture, and the family farm.
Client Focus
We believe in doing our best to meet the needs of every client who contacts our office in search of assistance, knowledge, or results.
Program Delivery
We believe in providing the most information possible to all program participants and ensuring the needs of participants are met.
The Agricultural Services Department is legislated to conduct its activities under the Weed Control Act, the Agricultural Pests Act, the Soil Conservation Act and the Animal Health Act. The department and the Agricultural Fieldman support the Agricultural Services Board to meet and make recommendations to Council and the Provincial Minister of Agriculture.
The Agricultural Service Department can be contacted at 780-895-2585 or by email or:
Lamont County Agricultural Services Department is dedicated to ensuring ratepayers are supported through a variety of Agricultural programs on a wide variety of topics. Questions and requests for more information should be directed to the Assistant Agriculture Fieldman.
For a full breakdown of programs provided, please choose the appropriate topic from the list below:
- Environmental Programs
- Includes information on Canadian Agriculture Partnership (CAP) programs, Farm Plans, Environmental Streamline Program, Farm Energy and Agri-Processing Program (FEAP), Farm Health and Safety Producer Grant program, Farm Water Supply program, municipal water management, shelterbelt trees, and Watershed grant programs.
- Grain Bag Roller Recycling Program and Rental Requirements
- Properly rolled and secured grain bags and bagged twine can be dropped off, free of charge, at St. Michael Landfill. Grain bags should be rolled tightly with a mechanical grain bag roller and secured with twine. If the customer has any concerns about the local weather impacting the normal landfill operations, the recommendation should be for the customer to call the landfill to confirm offloading and if there any concerns that particular day.
- Pest Control Programs
- Includes information on clubroot, gopher control, predation control, grasshopper control, beaver control, and additional pest control (including spraying activities).
- Rental Equipment
- Includes information on equipment available for rent, rental rates and additional charges.
- Vegetation Programs
- Includes information on weed control, road side spraying, and mowing and brushing programs.
Canadian Cattle Identification
Lamont County Agricultural Service Board is a third party agent for the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA).
As camping season commences, it is important to be aware of wood-borne diseases, insect infestation and prevention of entry into Alberta. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is one such insect that is spread by firewood. Alberta and Lamont County is EAB-free—effective April 2024, the movement of all ash material such as logs, branches, woodchips, & all species of firewood from the affected sites, is restricted. Be advised that firewood is confiscated at all the AB/Montana Ports of Entry. This pest has no threat to human health but is devastating to Ash Trees.
It is present in B.C. and Sask. For more information:
Management and inspection is typically done by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and further direction and updates by the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian in Alberta. The following is information, tips and frequently asked questions as it relates to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
If you have any questions, contact the Chief Provincial Veterinarian at 780-427-3448.
Government of Alberta Resources
1. Avian Influenza in domestic birds: alberta.ca/avian-influenza-reportable:
This contains a description of HPAI, how it spreads, clinical signs and links to the Avian Influenza and small-flock poultry fact sheet and Open Data Portal: open.alberta.ca/dataset/964f3b23-6898-4ea8-aec0-848cdf135215/resource/af200969-9424-4a1d-8d52-83d816d1edd3/download/2015-avian-influenza-small-flock-poultry-september-2015.pdf.
2. Avian Influenza in Alberta: alberta.ca/h5n1-avian-influenza-in-alberta:
H5N1 avian influenza in Alberta: updates on the avian influenza situation in Alberta, including risk level, information for general public, where to report, how to mitigate and the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian’s updates for producers.
Government of Canada: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
1. Avian influenza (bird flu): inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza:
Services and information, including “Latest bird flu situation in Canada”, facts about avian influenza, overview of how Canada prevents etc.
2. Avian Biosecurity – Protect Poultry, Prevent Disease: inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza.
3. Toolkit for producers and livestock sector: inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza/producers-and-livestock-sector.
4. “Keep your birds safe” infographic: inspection.canada.ca/sites/default/files/legacy/DAM/DAM-animals-animaux/STAGING/text-texte/keep_your_birds_safe_1642789667329_eng.pdf.
5. Tips for bird owners: inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza/tips-bird-owners.
6. Surveillance: inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza/surveillance.
Workshops
Upcoming Workshops
Funding, Surveys and Other Ag-related Opportunities
On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) provides financial support to producers to accelerate their adoption and implementation of on-farm Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) to lower Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, support production efficiency, sustainability and resiliency on their farm operations.
To assist producers with their adoption of new BMPs, the program will offer producers resources to support BMP implementation and provide BMP design recommendations.
RDAR is a delivery partner, selected by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, to distribute funds associated with this program.
Learn more and to apply: https://rdar.ca/funding-opportunities/ofcaf.
Move My Licence is a call for water licence holders in Alberta to ‘move’ their water licences into the Digital Regulatory Assurance System (DRAS). Effective February 2024, water licences issued under the Government of Alberta Water Act and precedent legislation by the Alberta government before November 2021 will move to the Digital Regulatory Assurance System (DRAS).
How to Move My Licence (fact sheet) and video tutorial.
Learn more via the Government of Alberta.
To support continued innovation, growth and prosperity, the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) has launched its programs. This 5‐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 Sustainable CAP 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.
Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership in Alberta | Alberta.ca
In Alberta, CAP will deliver programs developed in consultation with stakeholders, and is organized under the following themes:
- Emerging Opportunities (processors, organizations)
- On-Farm Efficiency (producers, farmers, ranchers)
- On-Farm Value Added (producers, farmers, ranchers)
- Resiliency and Public Trust (organizations, processors)
- Resilient Agricultural Landscape (producers, farmers, ranchers)
- Value-Added (processors)
- Water (producers, farmers, ranchers)
Previously: Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change; Products, Market Growth and Diversification; Science and Research; Risk Management; and Public Trust.
For a list of CAP Programs go to Sustainable CAP Overview | Alberta.ca (alberta.ca/sustainable-cap-overview).
See all the eligible programs: alberta.ca/sustainable-cap-programs
For more information please contact Agricultural Services at: 780-895-2585.
Below is an update with suggested actions from Alberta Pork (letters can be updated as relevant for eligible farm machinery - see Bill C-234, an: Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act at https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/44-1/bill/C-234/third-reading, as the Alberta Pork letter is focused directly for those raising hogs, and there are other proposed exemptions):
An exemption to Canada’s carbon tax on fuels used to heat barns and dry grains continues to move forward, with Bill C-234, an Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, passing second reading in the Senate this month.
The bill was passed in the House of Commons earlier this year, with support from Conservative, New Democrat, Bloc Québécois and Green MPs, with Liberal MPs in opposition to it.
Alberta Pork's position, consistent with other provincial pork producer organizations and the Canadian Pork Council (CPC), is that the carbon tax is an unfair cost on top of already-high input costs for farmers. We and our partners have been advocating for an exemption, and we're almost there, with your support!
How Farmers Can Help
Bill C-234 is now at the final stage before potentially becoming law. There are 89 Senators in Canada, including four from Alberta: Patti LaBoucane-Benson, Paula Simons, Karen Sorensen and Scott Tannas.
Alberta Pork is asking all producers to send letters to Alberta’s Senators, urging them to vote in favour of the bill. Brent Moen, Past Chair, Alberta Pork previously sent a letter to all four Senators in that regard.
For producers wishing to support Alberta Pork's request, this letter template can be used and customized as you see fit, but please remember to use respectful language and avoid negative political comments. The letter can be printed at home, then mailed by Canada Post, at no charge for postage, to the following address (using only one Senator’s name per letter):
Hon. Patti LaBoucane-Benson
Hon. Paula Simons
Hon. Karen Sorensen
Hon. Scott Tannas
The Senate
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A4
Please be sure to address the envelope the same as your letter and fill in all grey-highlighted fields, finished with a hand-drawn signature.
When looking at all alternatives for feed supplies, feed testing is always a good option to explore to ensure animal health and welfare. A visual assessment may not be accurate enough to assess quality & may lead to costly alternatives to maintain health.
Visit Feed Quality, Testing & Analysis for Beef Cattle - BeefResearch.ca for details on testing & tools.