Pest & Predator Control Programs

Pest and predator control services are provided by the Agricultural Service Board for certain pests listed under the Agricultural Pests Act. The services are provided as an aid and should be coupled with good prevention management to reduce the potential for problems both now and in the future.
 
Should you have questions about any of the programs, please contact the Agricultural Service Board at 403-794-2311.

 

Visit Alberta's Bacterial Ring Rot site by clicking here: https://www.alberta.ca/bacterial-ring-rot-pest.aspx

Visit Alberta's Clubroot Management Plan by clicking here: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-clubroot-management-plan.aspx


The County of Newell assists residents with predator concerns. The Director of Agricultural Services or a trained Agricultural Services member will investigate all incidents of predator kill or harassment and implement control as necessary. A $20.00 fee is required if control devices are issued. 

It is virtually impossible to eliminate all predators and the damage they cause to livestock, but good management can reduce this damage and still be consistent with all types of livestock production. Since every farm is different, there is no single practice or combination of practices that will be right for every situation. Therefore, when predators strike, it is important to be aware of all options available for their control and to act at once. 

Visit Alberta's Dutch Elm Disease site by clicking here: https://www.alberta.ca/dutch-elm-disease.aspx

Visit Alberta's Fusarium graminearum Management Plan by clicking here: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/alberta-fusarium-management-plan.

Richardson Ground Squirrels (gophers) pose a significant threat to the landscape. Be it damages to crops or creating hazardous conditions for livestock and equipment. 

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has cancelled the registration for 2% liquid strychnine for use on Richardson ground squirrels as of March 4, 2020. 

  1. This means that the manufacturer can sell product up to one year after the cancellation (March 4, 2021) 
  2. The retailer (County of Newell and other ASB’s) can sell the product up to one year after that (March 4, 2022) 
  3. Purchasers can use the product up to one year after that (March 4, 2023)

After March 4, 2023 owning and using strychnine will become illegal and owners/users could face fines. 

As such the County of Newell Agricultural Services department has and will be selling 2% LSC to qualifying landowners in some capacity until March 4, 2022. Purchasing Procedure: 

  1. 2% LSC will be sold on a cost recovery basis. The price may fluctuate. 
  2. As per our policy (2016-PAG-032), there will be a maximum of 2 cases sold at any one time to any individual. 
  3. All sales must be handled through the County of Newell Agricultural Services shop by trained Agricultural Services staff. 
  4. Purchasers must receive training from Agricultural Services staff. 
  5. Landowners must be bonafide farmers; meaning they own at least 80 acres of land zoned for agricultural use. 
  6. Information required upon purchase: 
    • Name
    • Phone number 
    • Land description of where product will be applied 

The ASB reserves the right to refuse this service to any landowner they feel will abuse the program or use the product outside of the label recommendations. Any landowner discovered using the product against label recommendations will forfeit their right to purchase the product.

Visit Alberta's Grasshopper management site by clicking here: https://www.alberta.ca/grasshopper-management.aspx

The Agricultural Services department is your local call for rat sightings. If you think you have seen a rat, or signs of a rat infestation, please call 403-794-2311, or 310-RATS immediately so an investigation can begin.

Visit Alberta's Rat Control program by clicking here: https://www.alberta.ca/albertas-rat-control-program.aspx

The County of Newell sells Phostoxin (Aluminum Phosphide) to County of Newell landowners for the control of stored grain pests and Richardson Ground Squirrels (gophers). 

To purchase Phostoxin from the County, landowners must have obtained a Farmer Pesticide Certificate, and completed either the Grain Bin Fumigation or Rodent Control module. The Farmer Pesticide Certificate is a self-taught program and the exam is administered through the Agricultural Services department. Once the exam has been completed and a passing grade is accomplished, a certificate number will be issued by Alberta Government. The Farmer Pesticide Certificate is valid for 5 years from the time of issue. 

Farmer’s must produce their valid Farmer Pesticide Certificate number at the time of purchase as per County of Newell Policy (2016-PAG-032). 

The County sells Phostoxin on a cost recovery basis. No less than one flask of product will be sold to any purchaser and no more than two cases will be sold at any one time to any producer. 

The ASB reserves the right to refuse this service to any farmer they feel will abuse the program or use the product outside label recommendations. Any farmer discovered using the product against label recommendations will forfeit their right to purchase the product.