Join the 2025 ASB Gopher Impact Survey Today
Call to Action:This survey has been created to capture evidence on the impact of the current outbreak, and control methods. Federal MP John Barlow, the Shadow Minister of Agriculture, has asked the ASBs to provide this information on behalf of farmers.
“The purpose of this data collection is to provide a clear and credible summary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, with the goal of encouraging timely action to support Prairie producers facing increasingly severe pest damage.” John Barlow, Letter to ASBs June 20,2025
Photos of the damage are appreciated. Please consider uploading photos of the damage or loss (drone photos are great) in the survey or by email to [email protected]
Share this page or the links to help us reach as many farmers as possible. Ideal will be to have 200 submissions.
2025 ASB Gopher (Richardson’s Ground Squirrel) Impact Survey
Call to Action:This survey has been created to capture evidence on the impact of the current outbreak, and control methods. Federal MP John Barlow, the Shadow Minister of Agriculture, has asked the ASBs to provide this information on behalf of farmers.
“The purpose of this data collection is to provide a clear and credible summary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, with the goal of encouraging timely action to support Prairie producers facing increasingly severe pest damage.” John Barlow, Letter to ASBs June 20,2025
Photos of the damage are appreciated. Please consider uploading photos of the damage or loss (drone photos are great) in the survey or by email to [email protected]
Share this page or the links to help us reach as many farmers as possible. Ideal will be to have 200 submissions.
2025 ASB Gopher (Richardson’s Ground Squirrel) Impact Survey
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Pest Control
Pest control officers provide residents with identification and control strategies for agricultural pests. Field scouting is carried out for identification of pests under the agricultural pests act such as clubroot, and fusarium graminearum. Staff will assist when possible with identification and control advice for horticultural insects and disease. Inspectors participate in Provincial grasshopper survey. Any Norway rat sightings are investigated by Agricultural Fieldman and if confirmed the Problem Wildlife Division of Alberta Agriculture will be informed and rat eradication program will be implemented.
Beaver control is used to prevent or reduce the flooding of County infrastructure and to aid farmers in controlling flooding of agricultural lands. Ponoka County hires seasonal beaver trappers to control beavers that affect County infrastructure and property. The ASB coordinates with Public Works department to clean affected culverts and bridges in accordance with provincial and federal regulations and codes of practice. Beaver dams may be removed using explosives following provincial and federal regulations, and best practices. Because landowners are restricted from purchasing explosives, the ASB offers the service of beaver dam blasting by the Fieldman and Assistant Fieldman. Dams are removed at the discretion of the licensed blaster. Weed InspectionThe invasion and spread of noxious weeds is one of the most serious threats to our natural resources. Weeds are categorized as noxious when they spread aggressively and are difficult to control. The Weed Control Act was enacted in 1907 to prevent the spread of invasive plants. For more information on noxious weeds please visit the Alberta Invasive Species Council by clicking here.
Mountain Pine Beetle
Mountain Pine Beetle has been present in Alberta since early 2000 - starting in the Peace River region and spreading north, and now south into central Alberta. Farmers, ranchers and woodlot owners in central Alberta need to watch their trees for signs of attack. FACT SHEET & PHOTOS.
Further details can be found here. |
Soil & Water Conservation
The Agricultural Fieldman provides landowners with information regarding best management practices for soil and water conservation. The ASB cooperates with local groups, other municipalities, and government agencies to promote soil and water conservation practices with local or regional workshops and newsletters.
A solar watering system is available to both Ponoka and Lacombe County residents to demonstrate stock watering away from riparian areas. We currently operate three tankloader facilities at Rimbey, Crestomere, and Mecca Glen. The sites provide water free of charge to county farmers which can be used for spraying crops, and livestock watering. Water is not tested and therefore non-potable. The storage tanks also provide water for emergency fire fighting. |
Agriculture Service Board
The Agricultural Service Board provides services and programs to promote and enhance the sustainable and economical growth of the agricultural industry within Ponoka County.
The Agricultural Service Board has legislated responsibilities under the following Acts:
• Agricultural Service Board Act - The overriding Governance of the Board
• Weed Control Act - Weed Inspectors inspect lands for weeds listed in the Weed Control Act Regulation and monitor compliance or enforce control of weeds impacting lands, production or the environment within the county.
• Agricultural Pests Act - Appointed Pest Control Officers inspect lands within the county and advise or enforce control strategies for agricultural pests listed in the Agricultural Pest Act.
• Soil Conservation Act - Soil Conservation Officers are appointed under the Soil Conservation Act to protect lands from deteriorating due to soil loss by wind or water events and enforce remedial measures.
• Livestock Disease Act - Assist the Provincial or Federal Government in matters of containment during a re-portable livestock disease outbreak.
Based on these acts the ASB will promote, advise, and organize weed control, pest control, soil/water conservation programs and policies to meet the needs of local residents and landowners. Other programs include beaver management, rentals (root stock tree planter, sprayers, livestock scale), roadside mowing, vegetation management, roadside seeding, coyote management for predication on livestock, skunk control, Norway rat eradication, horticultural pest identification and agricultural bulk water facilities management.
The Agricultural Service Board consists of five County Councilors, the Agricultural Fieldsman, the County Chief Administrative Officer, and a Recording Secretary. To contact the board members please visit our contact page.
The Agricultural Service Board has legislated responsibilities under the following Acts:
• Agricultural Service Board Act - The overriding Governance of the Board
• Weed Control Act - Weed Inspectors inspect lands for weeds listed in the Weed Control Act Regulation and monitor compliance or enforce control of weeds impacting lands, production or the environment within the county.
• Agricultural Pests Act - Appointed Pest Control Officers inspect lands within the county and advise or enforce control strategies for agricultural pests listed in the Agricultural Pest Act.
• Soil Conservation Act - Soil Conservation Officers are appointed under the Soil Conservation Act to protect lands from deteriorating due to soil loss by wind or water events and enforce remedial measures.
• Livestock Disease Act - Assist the Provincial or Federal Government in matters of containment during a re-portable livestock disease outbreak.
Based on these acts the ASB will promote, advise, and organize weed control, pest control, soil/water conservation programs and policies to meet the needs of local residents and landowners. Other programs include beaver management, rentals (root stock tree planter, sprayers, livestock scale), roadside mowing, vegetation management, roadside seeding, coyote management for predication on livestock, skunk control, Norway rat eradication, horticultural pest identification and agricultural bulk water facilities management.
The Agricultural Service Board consists of five County Councilors, the Agricultural Fieldsman, the County Chief Administrative Officer, and a Recording Secretary. To contact the board members please visit our contact page.