The County of Stettler Agriculture Service Board (ASB) heard a report that gopher bait stations were not effective. The information was provided as part of the regular staff reports at the ASB’s May 20 board meeting.

Manager of Ag Services Rob Klatt submitted his regular report, including a detailed update on weed and pest management. Readers should note the ASB is composed of some members of county council and some members-at-large and is chaired by Coun. Allan Gano.

The first item Klatt mentioned was the continued efforts of county staff to organize and manage Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s two per cent liquid strychnine program. Klatt stated that the program rollout continues, and as of the date of the meeting, 123 County of Stettler producers had expressed interest in receiving the gopher control poison.

Reeve Larry Clarke noted he was at the local 4-H show and sale on May 19 and fielded many questions about liquid strychnine. Clarke predicted many more Stettler-area producers are interested in the poison than the 123 who contacted the county office.

Next, Klatt updated board members on his department’s use of gopher bait stations.

“Richardson’s ground squirrel control programs are underway at four county sites: Botha, Gadsby, Red Willow and the Shop Yard using bait stations,” stated Klatt’s memo to the board.

He explained that staff tried using three products at the bait stations to control gophers, but the results were not positive.

“We didn’t have a lot of luck with the ones that we tried,” said Klatt. “You could probably describe it as an epic fail, actually.”

As the board discussed the bait station failure, Klatt noted that in the future his department may try a substance called zinc phosphate, which can be used in parks.

Readers should note zinc phosphate, also called zinc phosphide, is, according to the Government of Canada website, “... a rodenticide used to control rats, house mice, deer mice, pocket gophers, ground squirrels and meadow voles in agricultural, industrial, commercial and residential settings. It is applied by professional applicators or farm workers either by hand, burrow builder machine or hand probe, mechanical broadcast, or by hand around each tree or placed by hand.”

As discussion continued, Klatt noted that although the bait stations remain where they are, they will likely be removed because of the poor results.

Klatt also reported on weed concerns linked to the oil and gas industry.

“Participated in meetings and information gathering regarding weeds on well sites,” stated Klatt in his report. “Effective May 1, 2026, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) can enforce compliance related to weeds and agricultural pests on well and facility sites licensed under the Oil and Gas Conservation Act.”

The County of Stettler is also conducting monitoring for another pest.

“(Staff) deployed two provincial insect monitoring stations for Bertha armyworm monitoring,” stated Klatt.

The Bertha armyworm is known for its ability to devastate canola crops.

“Bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) is one of the most significant insect pests of canola in Canada,” states the Government of Alberta website. “... failure to detect infestations early may result in insufficient time to apply the pesticide before severe damage is done.”

Lastly, Klatt reported staff also provided pest control assistance for the following pests: foxes, magpies, Richardson’s ground squirrels, beavers and skunks.