Clubroot Policy 6056 is intended to prevent the establishment and spread of Clubroot within the boundaries of Lamont County. Random field inspections will be conducted by the inspectors appointed by the Agriculture Service Board. A minimum of 25 fields will be inspected where Canola, Mustard and Cole crops are currently being grown. Testing methods will exactly follow standard protocols provided by the Alberta Clubroot Management Committee. Landowners will be notified in writing if their land tests positive for Clubroot.
To learn where Clubroot was found in Lamont County in the past year, download the Official Clubroot Map.
View the 2024 Cole Crop Restriction Map.
Please be aware that if you live in an area that has been tested as negative, or if you yourself have been tested as negative for clubroot, you are NOT guaranteed to be free of clubroot.
It is imperative that you continue to practice clubroot protocols in order to restrict its spread. If you have any questions on what this entails, or questions on clubroot in the County, please contact the Agricultural Services Department.
To learn more about clubroot, as well as methods of prevention and management of the disease, please go to Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development or the Alberta Clubroot Management Plan. Please forward any questions or concerns to the Lamont County Agriculture Service Board Department at 780-895-2585.
Damage caused by Richardson’s ground squirrels ranges from an occasional headache for some to a significant loss of crop production to others. The most common types of ground squirrel damage are crop loss through direct consumption and reduced production due to plant injury and trampling. In addition, downtime and repair costs due to damage to hay binds as well as physical injury to livestock with ground squirrel burrows and those of badgers are also major concerns.
Rural residents in Lamont County are able to purchase 2% strychnine products to aid them in controlling gophers directly from the ASB office at an affordable cost.
ATTENTION: Strychnine Sales Ended March 4, 2021
Under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act, Health Canada is cancelling the registration of all strychnine products used to control Richardson ground squirrels, due to environmental risks.
On March 4, 2020, Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) published the final re-evaluation decision on strychnine used to control Richardson’s ground squirrels. To comply with the re-evaluation decision, the registration of 2% Liquid Strychnine is cancelled and is subject to the following phase out timelines:
- Last date of sale by Registrant is March 4, 2021 - DONE
- Last date of sale by Retailer is March 4, 2022 - DONE
- Last date of permitted use by the User is March 4, 2023
Continued possession and/or use of the product after March 4, 2023 is a violation of the Pest Control Products Act. For more information on the regulation of pesticides, please contact PMRA at hc.pmra.info-arla.sc@canada.ca or 1-800-267-6315.
Coyotes cause over 75% of the predation losses of livestock in Alberta. Livestock producers can prevent or reduce coyote predation with fencing, good herd management, guardian animals, frightening devices and various lethal control methods. Lamont County ASB provides valuable information on coyote control strategies and also dispenses 1080 coyote control tablets through the ASB office. More information on pest control is also available on the Alberta Agriculture and Food website.
Private Control Services
The Coyote Crew – Ed Whitelock, Rick Potts, Dave Oakie, and crew
We use predator calls and attempt to solve local problems rather than perform a general area coyote reduction hunt. Our hunting is generally in the winter where we use the sale of the hides to cover our costs, thus no request for payment from the landowners, only permission to hunt on their land and possibly adjacent landowners. Our activities extend to summer months to help with rodent (gopher) infestations.
Should you feel we could be of some assistance to your municipality or Lamont County landowners, you/they may contact Ed Whitelock at 780-922-3880 h, 780-977-3880 cell, or Rick Potts at 780-922-4117 h 780-405-3564 cell. Should you require further information or contacts, we have a list of all our members available.
Grasshopper numbers vary from year to year. When grasshopper numbers are low, damage is minimal. When numbers are high, damage can be significant and producers should consider management options.
Lamont County may offer compensation to producers treating their fields for grasshoppers. Contact Agricultural Services for more information.
In Alberta, beaver problems occur wherever there are trees and water. In these areas, beaver cause problems by flooding cultivated land, hay fields, pasture land, roadways and often detour or restrict water flow in stream ways.
Lamont County conducts beaver control to protect County infrastructure. Information for beaver control on private land on behalf of the County can be found in the Beaver Dam Flood Control Policy (6070).
Beaver Control FAQ
1. Why are beaver traps in place?
2. How many (roughly) are out there?
3. Where are the traps located?
4. Under what authority does Lamont County trap beavers?
5. Are traps dangerous?
6. What is the fine for tampering with traps?
Under the Wildlife Act, a person convicted for this offence is liable to a fine of not more than $50 000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or both. Unauthorized removal of traps could also fall under the criminal code as theft or public mischief.
Note: Trapping is included under the definition of hunting.
- Government of Alberta: Wild Boar Control.
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Wild Boar (feral pigs) can be sighted across Alberta and are considered invasive pests. These animals can damage property, agricultural crops, pastures and the environment, and are known to endanger people and animals. Report any sightings through 310-FARM or AF.wildboar@gov.ab.ca. (Hunting is not an effective control option.)
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If you see a wild boar, please report this to Lamont County Agricultural Services so it can be followed up on (do not attempt to shoot, as they get very cagey and this impacts control efforts).
Learn more: https://www.alberta.ca/about-wild-boar-at-large.aspx and https://abinvasives.ca/squeal-on-pigs/.
Lamont County Agricultural Services has raccoon traps available for public use.
- DEPOSIT: $100 (refundable if traps are returned in appropriate condition within 10 days).
Please contact Agricultural Services at 780-895-2585 or agservices@lamontcounty.ca
If you have information about a spill, release (including incidents of questionable spraying) or emergency that could damage the environment, call 1-800-222-6514, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Every suspected violation that comes to the attention of Alberta Environment and Parks will be assessed and responded to in an appropriate and timely manner. Note: it is NOT the responsibility of Lamont County to enforce spraying complaints, as this falls under the Environment Protection Act. Any ground or aerial concerns are to be reported to the above hotline (you will be provided with a reference number).