Starland County has joined a list of many rural municipalities in declaring an Agricultural State of Disaster.
At the Wednesday, July 26 Starland County Council Meeting, the Council passed a motion to make the declaration. According to a press release, the decision was based on the impacts extreme heat and prolonged drought conditions have had on crops, forages, and pastures throughout Starland County.
“The County Council is aware of the hardships facing Starland County residents, and this decision is meant to raise awareness of the problems facing the agricultural industry both in our County and throughout the province of Alberta,” it states. “Low growing season moisture and intense heat during critical growing periods have further depleted initially low soil moisture reserves. This has led to severe impacts across all sectors of agricultural production. Livestock production has been and will continue to be significantly impacted by shortages of surface water, significant decreases in pasture growth, and reductions in forage production.”
When looking around the countryside, many farmers are already taking crops off, often for feed. Hay crops are also sparse, which could further increase demand on feed.
When coupled with the reduction in annual crop production in the County and throughout western Canada, the high cost of livestock feed could lead to substantial reductions in livestock breeding herds.
Agriculture Financial Services Canada (AFSC) has increased the Low Yield Allowance threshold for salvage crops, and this step will allow more producers to harvest what little crop is available as livestock feed.
On Friday, August 4, The Government of Alberta and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced it has reopened the AgriStability program recognizing that wildfires and extremely dry conditions have affected many farmers and ranchers. The initial program enrollment closed on April 30.
AgriStability protects Canadian producers against large declines in farming income due to production loss, increased costs and market conditions.
“Our government has listened to farmers and ranchers who have been impacted by wildfires and drought. We know they need support options to make it through this growing season. Allowing late participation in AgriStability will enable them to reassess their business risks and make an informed decision about signing up to protect their operations and livelihoods,” said RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation.
In Alberta, producers sign up for AgriStability and access benefits through AFSC. AgriStability can provide producers with access to other credit options like the federal Advanced Payments Program, which offers low-cost cash advances.
For more information contact the Starland County Agricultural Services department at 403-772-3793 or email asb@starlandcounty.com.

Alberta-based production company Numera Films recently wrapped up a week of filming in Drumheller with the production that’s kept their team busy since June.
‘Project: Six-Shooter’ is the working title of the project, and many of the details are being kept under wraps.
Producers Griffin Cork and Morgan Ermter are co-producing Six-Shooter with Andrea Materia, owner of Greater Fool (the largest global YouTube network for legal streaming of movie content) and his new company, Greater Fool Films LLC.
“This is one of the most ambitious projects we’ve ever had the pleasure of undertaking,” says Ermter, “and we’re really looking forward to sharing what we’ve been working on.”
While the team is under some strict NDAs, they can share that the project fuses the horror and western genres.
The story follows three old west traders who get wrapped up in occult and supernatural dealings. Talent connected to the project include Reamonn Joshee (Wynonna Earp, Billy the Kid, Guilty Party), Emily Howard (Joe Pickett, My Life with the Walter Boys) and Alice Wordsworth (Crow) with Ermter and Cork directing.
The collection of companies has also confirmed that the project will have a world-wide release.
Project: Six-Shooter is taking the cast and crew all over the province. Filming locations have included Lethbridge, Bassano, Sundre, East Coulee, Calgary, and now, Drumheller.
“We owe a lot to the strength of the independent industry in Alberta.” says Cork. “We’ve felt a lot of love in terms of hometown support, but the work that the community has been doing to bolster the film scene here is absolutely integral.”
Cork also shares Project: Six-Shooter touts local Drumheller talent like John Barry
Graham, and Chris Graham.
Numera Films is primarily known for their flagship series, Abracadavers, which is set to re-release it’s first season in Canada come August in conjunction with the premiere of the second season. Numera’s feature documentary, OMA, was recently acquired by Screen Media and Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. It will be premiering as a Crackle Exclusive later this year and is available in Canada with Shaw as of July.