Due to excessive moisture and prolonged wet conditions throughout the 2026 growing season, Lac Ste. Anne County has declared a Municipal Agricultural Disaster.
In a letter to Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Tara Sawyer, county council said persistent rainfall, saturated soils and limited field access have had cumulative impacts on agricultural production across the county.
Although some producers have crops that experienced more favourable conditions and have more potential, the county acknowledges that those conditions were quite variable throughout the region. Some producers are experiencing standing water, drowned-out portions of fields, uneven crop stands, delayed maturity, increased disease pressure and reduced yield and quality potential, council reported.
The county is particularly concerned about the impact on hay and forage production. In some areas, moisture conditions have prevented producers from cutting, curing and baling hay at the appropriate stage of maturity. As a result, council says some forage has become too mature or weathered before harvest, reducing its nutritional value and suitability as winter livestock feed.
“Agriculture is always weather-dependent, but the prolonged wet conditions we’ve experienced this season have created challenges well beyond the norm,” said County Reeve Jurgen Preugschas. “Across the County we’re seeing drowned-out acres, delayed crop development and forage quality issues that could have lasting impacts on producers and livestock operations.”
Crop production has reportedly also been affected. As of Aug. 11, provincial reports indicated that only 36.9 per cent of major crops in the North West Region were rated good-to-excellent. At that time, the region was also projected to yield below its five-year dryland average. Additionally, 43.2 per cent of surface soil moisture was classified as excessive.
Some fields in the region are also being assessed for alternate uses or pre-harvest options where crops may no longer be economically viable through harvest, according to provincial reports.
The county says these regional statistics are consistent with local observations and reports, although the conditions can vary considerably from one area or field to another. When considered collectively, however, excessive moisture; drowned-out acres; delayed crop development; disease pressure; reduced crop and forage quality; challenges to field operations; and concerns around winter livestock feed supplies have combined to create “an extraordinary agricultural challenge for our community,” the letter stated.
It also acknowledged that weather-related challenges are a reality of farming and existing provincial programs help address production risk. Council said this declaration is intended to raise awareness of the severity of local conditions and ensure the community is considered as the province evaluates impacts of the 2026 growing season, and whether additional assistance may be warranted.
The county is asking the government to assess these impacts and consider all available provincial and federal support mechanisms for affected producers.
Agricultural disasters have also been declared in the Westlock, Sturgeon and Athabasca counties.
