Grain producers in the region are back in the fields after the early October snow dump dampened harvests, with progress behind the 5-year averages in the region.

The most recent Alberta crop report says only about 44 per cent of major crops have been harvested in the Central region, with the 5-year average in the area being 79 per cent. Cool, wet weather has resulted in some crops sprouting and cracking, as well as crops shrivelling and kernels being frozen, which affects crop quality. Cattle producers who rely on grazing land were also affected by the early snow and a hot, dry summer, which caused higher feed prices.

Stettler County council declared an agricultural disaster at their October 10 meeting with the intent to encourage the provincial and federal governments to assist county agriculture producers.

The snow and moisture have made it difficult to get into the fields. Certain crops will diminish in value as these crops remain in the fields,” said Stettler County Reeve Larry Clarke in a press release.

Wheatland, Starland, and Kneehill Counties have not made a similar declaration but are reporting poorer crops and a delayed harvest. Wheatland County agricultural manager Russel Muenchrath says their council had discussed doing the same thing and have looked into beginning the process, but a warm late October forecast has them optimistic.

“At the moment guys are back in the field and things are looking better long-term,” he says, adding the county was sitting at around 60 per cent harvest completion before the snow fell. He says product grade will be affected due to the cooler weather, snow, and flattened crops complicating a strong harvest.

Starland agriculture fieldman Al Hampton says the county was not affected enough to declare an agricultural emergency.

“The weather now is what the doctor ordered. If we can get the grain off by Halloween that’s a bonus. It was looking pretty grim there for a while.”

A positive of the abnormal October precipitation has benefitted fall seeded crops which a majority of crops across the province are rated good or excellent. Pastures across the province have improved, but cool temperatures have stunted re-growth.

One person is in custody and will face charges related to at least one stolen vehicle recovered by Drumheller RCMP on Tuesday.  

Drumheller RCMP, with the assistance of the RCMP Emergency Response Team, apprehended a suspect on October 23 in relation to a stolen vehicle which was found abandoned in Cambria after a lengthy police pursuit.

There are several suspects known to police in the investigation and the RCMP are actively pursuing the individuals. At least two of which are from the Drumheller area, RCMP say. Some suspects have ‘significant criminal records,’ with one currently wanted on an outstanding warrant.

Two suspected stolen vehicles were seized by police on Tuesday but the make and model are not being released at this time as the investigation is ongoing.

Police say the suspects in the investigation are potentially armed, could be dangerous, and are likely to run from police.

Charges have not yet been sworn and the name of the person in custody cannot be released at this time.

Drumheller RCMP had spent much of the day Tuesday looking for suspects in multiple reports of stolen vehicles in the area. The investigation began after two vehicles were stolen from a Dalum area farm on Tuesday morning. The suspect vehicles moved in and out of Drumheller RCMP jurisdiction before returning to the valley, with the Cambria suspect apprehended around 3:30 p.m.