MD of Taber Agricultural Service Board addresses weeds, pests, and policy updates 

By Nerissa McNaughton
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The MD of Taber’s Agricultural Service Board (ASB) met on September 2, tackling a full agenda that covered seasonal progress on weed and pest control, policy updates, and pressing concerns from across the province. Here’s a look at the key discussions that took place.

The meeting began with the formal adoption of the minutes from the August 5 session. This included accepting reports on the agricultural moisture situation and provincial surveys for information. A key item from the previous meeting was the board’s recommendation to council to approve changes to the Prohibited Noxious and Noxious Weed Control Policy.

During the September 2nd session, the ASB reviewed a report on its 2025 activities, highlighting significant efforts in weed management. Crews have been concentrating on noxious and prohibited noxious weed patches throughout the region. The MD is using software to track and map these sites, improving the efficiency of control measures.

Progress was also noted on other fronts:

• CPKC Rail Line: A second application of herbicide along the railway appears to be effective in controlling weed growth.

• Highway 3 Twinning: The MD is working with Ledcor to manage kochia along the construction corridor. Plans are underway to develop a more robust strategy for 2026, combining mowing and spraying to get ahead of the problem.

• Roadside Mowing: The first cut of roadside mowing was completed on August 20. The second cut began on August 25, starting in Council Division 1 as outlined by policy.

In pest control, Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation has supplied the MD with a small stock of Compound 1080 for emergency use. This measure is in place until local staff and residents can complete the required training for its use in early 2026.

A significant piece of correspondence was a letter from the County of Minburn addressed to the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. The letter strongly urges the government to reinstate previously approved gopher control methods, such as 2% liquid strychnine. The letter highlighted the severe economic and environmental damage caused by Richardson ground squirrels and argues that current control options are less effective and more costly for producers. The letter calls for a balanced, science-based approach to reintroduce these tools with modern safety regulations.

Also reviewed was a memo outlining the growing number of municipalities across Alberta that have declared a state of agricultural disaster. As of August, 12 counties and municipal districts, primarily in the northern parts of the province, have made declarations due to ongoing drought conditions. While the declarations do not trigger direct provincial funding, they serve to raise awareness of the severe challenges facing producers.

Closer to home, the ASB reviewed proposed updates to the MD’s Clubroot Policy. Clubroot is a declared pest under the provincial Agricultural Pests Act, and the policy outlines specific guidelines for preventing its spread within the MD of Taber. The proposed changes are intended to make the policy clearer and easier for landowners to understand and follow. The board is recommending that council consider and adopt the updated policy.

For more detailed information on these topics, the full agenda is available on the official MD of Taber website.