Cypress County ASB briefs from June 25

Posted on August 8, 2024 by Ryan Dahlman

By Heather Cameron
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The following are select briefs from the Cypress County Agricultural Service Board meeting that took place on June 25, 2024.

Agri-Environmental Report

Kennedy Roeder, Assistant Agricultural Fieldman for Cypress County, provided the Agricultural Service Board with the Agri-Environmental Report. Roeder explained that there was a Youth Range Days on March 25, 2024, and that Youth Range Days is a camp for kids ages 13 to 18 and is aimed at educating youth on wildlife, working landscapes, plant identification, rangeland and riparian health. 

The Board, Roeder stated, also co-hosted a workshop with SEAWA with the Land Stewardship Centre for the Green Acreages program on June 18, 2024, at the County office that involved 20 participants. One person in Cypress County completed a project through this program, Roeder said, and was able to access funding to help complete her project.

In terms of the Environmental Farm Plan, Roeder said, it was completed and approved in May.

In terms of rental equipment, Roeder said, Seed Drills have been used by 28 producers to seed 1158 acres, Land rollers have been used by 7 producers to roll 383 acres, RFID Tag Reader was rented by 3 producers, Tree Planters have been rented by 2 people, Mulch Applicator has been rented out by 1 person.

Member at Large Josh Beck made a motion to approve the Agri-Environmental Report for information as presented and the motion was carried.

New Agricultural Service Board Policy – ASB 22 – Animal Health

Cypress County Agricultural Supervisor Lisa Sulz presented the Agricultural Service Board with ASB 22- Animal Health Policy, recommending that the ASB move to accept ASB 22 – Animal Health policy as presented and to direct staff to send the policy to Council for ratification. The goal of the policy, Sulz said, is to enforce the Animal Health Act, the strategy is to carry out the duties as described in the act, and the objective of the act is for the Agricultural Service Board  in conjunction with staff will ensure that systems are in place that any reportable or notifiable diseases brought to the attention of the municipality, are reported to the Office of the Chief Provincial Vet. The creation of the policy, Sulz said, will align with requirements of the ASB under the Agricultural Service Board Act, the Animal Health Act (AHA), the ASB Grant Report, and the Cypress County ASB’s Measurable Action Items document. Ultimately, a motion was made to accept ASB 22 – Animal Health policy for information as presented and the motion was carried.

County Representation at 2024 BMO Farm Family of the Year Award Ceremony – Request for Decision

Cypress County Agricultural Supervisor Lisa Sulz presented a Request for Decision to the board regarding the 2024 BMO Farm Family Award. Ultimately, member at large Conny Kappler made a motion to send ASB member Shane Hok and a guest to the 2024 BMO Farm Family of the Year awards ceremony as the representative from Cypress County and to pay expenses incurred during their attendance. Sulz also explained that since the deadline was May 1, 2024, the Agricultural Service Board decided who would attend via email on April 18, 2024, and staff informed the Calgary Stampede of the representative attending in July. This Request for Decision, Sulz explained, is for a formal motion for the minutes.

Southern Alberta Youth Range Days Sponsorship – Request for Decision

Cypress County Agricultural Supervisor Lisa Sulz presented a Request for Decision to the Board regarding a request made by the Southern Alberta Youth Range Days 2024 organizing committee for $500 to sponsor the event. Ultimately, a motion was made that the Agricultural Service Board sponsor Southern Alberta Youth Range Days 2024, with $500 and the motion was carried.

Policy Review – ASB 14 – Rat and Skunk Control – Request for Decision

Cypress County Agricultural Supervisor Lisa Sulz presented a Request for Decision to the Board regarding ASB 14 – Rat and Skunk Control, stating that staff reviewed policy ASB 14 – Rat and Skunk Control, to update the policy reflecting the Provincial Rat and Rabies Control Program portion of the ASB Grant Agreement, and provide new protocols for dispensing rat bait through the provincial program and the ASB’s Measurable Action Items. Sulz stated that the goal with the policy is to enforce the Agricultural Pests Act, the strategy is to carry out duties as described in the Agricultural Pests Act, and the objective is for the board, in conjunction with staff, will develop and review programs and services to equitably assist rate payers with the management of pest and nuisance species. Sulz stated that the recommendation is that the board move to accept ASB 14 – Rat and Skunk Control policy as presented and direct staff to send the policy to Council for ratification and ultimately, a motion was made that the Agricultural Service Board move to accept ASB 14 – Rat and Skunk Control policy as presented and direct staff to send the policy to Council for ratification and the motion was carried.

New Bylaw – Prohibition of Wild Boar within Cypress County – Request for Decision

Cypress County Agricultural Supervisor Lisa Sulz presented a Request for Decision to the board regarding a proposed new bylaw – Prohibition of Wild Boar within Cypress County. Sulz stated that wild boars at large are incredibly destructive to agriculture land and other landscapes, as they wallow and root and destroy crops, riparian areas, and forested areas, and the threat of wild boar getting closer to Cypress County is real, as they are a problem in central Alberta and in Saskatchewan. Sulz explained that prohibiting the pest through a bylaw ensures ways of control and enforcing penalties in the event they are found in the county, and the proposed bylaw prohibiting wild boar within Cypress County is consistent with other municipalities wild boar bylaws in the province. Sulz concluded by saying that the recommended motion is that the Agricultural Service Board move to accept the proposed Bylaw – Prohibition of Wild Boar within Cypress County as presented and send to Council for approval. Ultimately, member at large Conny Kappler made a motion to accept the proposed Bylaw – Prohibition of Wild Boar within Cypress County as presented and send to Council for approval and the motion was carried.