The agricultural services department receives direction from the Agricultural Service Board (ASB). This department is responsible for administering and developing programs to compliment the Agricultural Service Board Act, the Weed Control Act, the Agricultural Pests Act and the Soil Conservation Act.
They are also responsible for assisting local producers with Environmental Farm Plans, and with the application process for Canadian Agriculture Partnership program.
Other areas of responsibility include hamlet park maintenance, brush control in rights-of-way and agricultural education and awareness.
AG Disaster 2021
Livestock Tax deferral Provision
Cypress County has been added to the Livestock Tax Deferral Provision, for details of how the provision works please use the links below.
Crop Insurance Program
The governments of Canada and Alberta, through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, are adjusting the crop insurance program, for more information please visit the below link:
Grants & Funding Opportunities
AAAF Memorial Bursary
The bursary is intended for students continuing their education at a College or University. Students must be enrolled in an agricultural or environmental science program. For more info and the application form visit the AAAF website.
Agricultural Service Board Bursary
- Bursaries are available to students wishing to continue their education at a College or University. Students must be enrolled in an Agricultural related program.
- Two $1,000 bursaries are available in each calendar year. Applications, with all supporting documentation, must be received by the Agricultural Supervisor by September 30th of each year.
- More information and then application form, can be found here.
Canadian Agricultural Partnership
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion federal-provincial-territorial investment in the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector that began in April 2018. In Alberta, the Canadian Agricultural Partnership represents a federal - provincial investment of $406 million in strategic programs and initiatives for the agricultural sector. For more information visit the CAP website.
Completing your Environmental Farm Plan
Environmental Farm Plans and Canadian Agricultural Partnership
If you are interested in doing an Environmental Farm Plan for you operation or would like to apply for Canadian Agricultural Partnership program, you can contact the Cypress County office and Lisa Sulz can assist you with the process.
Pest Control
Richardson's Ground Squirrel
Ground squirrels are a common pest. Managing them can be done in many ways.
Here is a document detailing the four primary methods of control.
Interested in having hawks nest in your area to provide some natural control? The Alberta Conservation Association has made a brochure on how to attract them.
Norway Rat
If you think that you have seen a rat all residents are encouraged to contact the county.
Since Cypress County borders Saskatchewan, we have a contract with the Province stating that we will inspect all possible rat habitat within 6 miles of the Saskatchewan border. These inspections take place every spring and fall.
Information on Alberta's Rat Control Program can be found here, and information on identifying rats is also available here.
Recycling programs
Cypress County offers grain bag and twine recycling free of charge to producers based within the county.
Grain bags recycling
- Producers can contact the county regarding the program for more information.
- Producers are required to clean of any big clumps of grain, dirt, ice etc., prior to rolling their grain bags. The county has a grain bag roller for producers to use.
- Grain bags can then be transported by the producer to the Hilda transfer site to be held for recycling.
For more information please see the policy here, or call the agricultural team on (403) 526-2888.
Twine recycling
- Pickup twine recycling bags at the county office in Dunmore, or at any of the transfer sites
- Bag twine
- Drop off at a transfer site
Rental Equipment
Cypress County has several pieces of rental equipment available to rate payers.
To check the availability of any of the equipment or to book the equipment for use please contact the County office.
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Roadside Spraying
Roadside (from the edge of the road to the fence line) spraying is
done to keep weeds in the ditch from spreading into the adjacent field.
The weeds that are primarily targeted are those that are listed in the
regulations of the Weed Control Act. We do not blanket spray the
ditches, but rather spot spray individual plants or patches of weeds.
The County’s roadsides are sprayed on a rotational basis, with 1/3
of the county’s roads being sprayed each year. Any newly constructed
roads are sprayed, as needed, for at least 3 years, or until the grass
is sufficiently established to out compete most weeds.
Herbicides that are used include, Milestone, Clearview, 2,4-D, Glyphosate, Garlon, and Tordon 22K.
Cypress County does not allow organic producers to use any part of
the municipal right-of-way for a buffer zone. Organic producers are
encouraged to contact the county to alert the Ag Services department of
their organic status. Staff will do their best to ensure that they are
careful in those areas, but the county reserves the right to control
weeds in the right-of-way as needed.
For more information please contact the Cypress County office.
Soil Conservation
The county has both a bylaw and a policy regarding soil erosion:
Municipalities in Southern Alberta partnered with Farming Smarter to produce a series of articles on soil conservation. The articles can also be found on the Farming Smarter website.