Agricultural Services
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Parent Category: Services
The Agricultural Fieldman for the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass can be contacted for weed and pest control, soil conservation and any agricultural or environmental concerns within the Municipality. Please call the Agricultural Fieldman to access free information, booklets, brochures, handouts and reserve books on agricultural and environmental materials (weeds, pests, water wells, re-vegetation, etc).
Agricultural Fieldman
Phone: 403-563-8658
Fax: 403-563-5474
Email:
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Agriculture Service BoardThe Crowsnest Pass Agriculture Service Board consists of 5 members at large and 1 elected Councillor.
More information on Alberta Agricultural Fieldman and the Agriculture Service Boards see the following links:
Agriculture Service Board Recruitment Information Agricultural Service Board By-law No. 825, 2011*Association of Alberta Agricultural FieldmanTogether the Agricultural Service Board, Agricultural Fieldman and other staff make up the Agricultural Services Department whose responsibilities include the enforcement and administration of the following statutes:
Agricultural Service Board Act, Weed Control Act, Soil Conservation Act, and
Agricultural Pests Act.Links to legislation:*Agricultural Services Board Act*Agricultural Services Board Regulations*Weed Control Act*Weed Control Act Regulations with Prohibited Noxious and Noxious Weed Lists*Soil Conservation Act*Soil Conservation Regulations*Agricultural Pests Act *Agricultural Pests Regulations
Current Events 
Ag Serv - Working Well_Workshop - November 27, 2012
Ag Serv - Nez Perce Creek Planting Event.pdf - September 18, 2012
Xeriscaping Workshop - May 4, 2011
Drum Creek Weed Pull - July 22 & 23, 2011
Crowsnest River Weed Pull - August 19, 2011
Riverside Weed Pull - June 28, 2012
Drum Creek Area Pull - July 13, 2012
Nez Perce Weed Pull - August 9, 2012
Weed ControlFor more information on Prohibited Noxious and Noxious weeds see the Weed Control Act and Regulations.
Weed Identification From the
Crowsnest Conservation Society, a short list of Crowsnest Pass
"Most Wanted" Weeds Brochure.
Wheatland Booklet (12.49 MB) This booklet was produced by Wheatland County as a free resource to help the public with identification of weeds listed in the Alberta Weed Control Act.
AIPC Brochure (2.53 MB) The Weed Wise Gardening Brochure is required to be printed on 9" x 29" paper. Copies can be ordered from the Alberta Invasive Plant Council at $35.00 per 100 copies (Phone 403-982-7923). Individual copies of the brochure are available from the Agricultural Fieldman.
The Alberta Invasive Plant Council for picture identification
*weed fact sheets with recommended control methods:
Giant Hogweed Brochure Giant Hogweed can pose a health risk when there is direct skin contact. This weed is commonly confused with other native plants such as Cow Parsnip.
Invasive Plants Crown of the Continent information and weed identification book (11.34 MB). Hard copies of this book are available from the Agricultural Fieldman for free.
Stock Poisoning Plants of Western Canada book This book illustrates which native and introduced plants are poisonous to horses, cattle, sheep, etc.
AgServ - Weed control herbicide application signage shows an example of herbicide application signage posted on land where herbicides have been applied.
Recommendation: Crowsnest Pass residents and their pets should stay off treated land for at least 72 hours in order for herbicides to be completely adsorbed by target weeds, and to prevent any adverse human allergic reactions to herbicides used although rare.Be on the Lookout for Weeds Brochure 2012
Pest Control
Please refer to the Alberta Pest Control Act and Regulations for a list of pest and nuisance animals.
For more information on pest management visit links below:
*Biology & Control of Skunks : Skunk traps are available for rent from the Agricultural Fieldman. $65 deposit (cash or cheque which will be returned once the trap has been returned in the same condition that it was borrowed) and a $10 rental fee.
*Control of Porcupine damage
*Bat Management
*Mice and their control
*An Improved Magpie Trap
*Starlings and their control
*House sparrow control
*Swallows
*Grasshopper Management
*Protecting Livestock from Predation with Electric Fences
*Rabies and rabies management in Alberta
Rats
Alberta is 1 of 3 places on earth that is free from established rat populations (others locations being the North and South Pole). Some native animals to the Crowsnest Pass have been mistaken for rats so it is important to know the differences between invasive Norway and Roof rats compared to native Pack rats/Wood rats, or Muskrats. The pictures below will help you to identify each species of invasive or native rats. All Norway or Roof rat sightings MUST be reported to the Agriculture & Environmental Services Department immediately in order to prevent their spread.
Roof rat and Muskrat and Packrat and Pocket Gopher comparision sketches Norway rat sketch
*Rat Control in Alberta
*History of rat control in AB
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Muskrat in background (native species)
Norway Rat in front (invasive species) |
Norway Rat on left
Muskrat on right
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Bushy Tailed Wood Rat or Pack Rat
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(native species) |
Gophers and Ground Squirrels
The Crowsnest Pass is situated in the foothills and Rocky Mountains of Alberta. This means the Columbian Ground Squirrel and the Northern Pocket Gopher are the main species of ground squirrels and gophers present in the Crowsnest Pass. The Richardson Ground Squirrel lives in the prairies and looks different from the Columbian Ground Squirrel. Much of the literature available on gopher control focuses on Richardson’s Ground Squirrels and not Columbian Ground Squirrels. The same control methods are used to control both species of ground squirrels. Pocket Gophers require another tactic and trap because they live under the ground and only surface at night for air to avoid their predators.
Northern Pocket Gopher (above)
*Control of Pocket Gophers and Ground Squirrels
*Richardson’s Ground Squirrels
Pocket Gopher Control Information
Columbian Ground Squirrel (left)
Soil Conservation
Please refer to the Soil Conservation Act and Regulations for more information.
The Alberta Native Plant Council for *locations to buy native seeds or plants that are not invasive or weeds.
*Agricultural Soil Compaction Causes and Management
Riparian Restoration
In 2011 and 2012 a grant was received by the Crowsnest Conservation Society, working in conjunction with the Municipality of the Crowsnest Pass. The grant funds have allowed the Municipality to hire and supervise seasonal Riparian Restoration Technicians to follow through with the grant objectives of removing weeds along select waterbodies, and transplanting native trees and shrubs in their place. Program sponsors include: Alberta Conservation Association, Land Stewardship Center, and the Oldman Watershed Council. Other agencies involved making the Riparian Restoration Program possible include: Cows & Fish, the Southern Alberta Weed Coordinator, Oldman Watershed Council, and Trout Unlimited.
Riparian Area Health Brochure 2012Riparian Area Health Newsletter 2012
For more information on riparian restoration visit links below:
*Crowsnest Conservation Society
*Alberta Conservation Association
*Cows and Fish Alberta Riparian Habitat Society
*Oldman Watershed Council
*Government of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Riparian Areas
*Government of Alberta Water for Life
* External link that is not part of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass website.
