Mountain View County council has been given an update on a recent regional agricultural service board (ASB) conference, including resolutions passed.
Chris Atchison, director of legislative services, reported to council during the recent regularly scheduled council meeting.
The 2018 Central Region ASB regional conference was held at the Reynolds Alberta Museum and was hosted by Wetaskiwin County.
“There were presentations from ALUS Canada, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Branch updates and an overview of the Agricultural Service Board Grant Program Review that is in progress,” said Atchison.
Dr. Keith Lehman presented on Livestock Implants and Anti-microbial Prescription Drugs changes.
Wayne Nixon provided an ASB committee update during the conference and is the central region representative for the provincial ASB committee, he said.
Two resolutions were brought forward at the conference and will be brought to the provincial ASB conference in January.
The deadstock removal resolution calls on the provincial government to cover 50 per cent of the deadstock pickup fees with producers bearing the remainder of costs.
The carbon credits for permanent pasture and forested lands resolution calls on Alberta Agriculture and Forestry to develop a process to allow farmers and landowners to access carbon credits for land used for permanent pasture or land that is left forested.
Atchison also reported that the Mountain View Seed Cleaning Plant and Olds Seed Processing Co-op was recently inspected under the Alberta Weed Control Act by the assistant agricultural fieldman and ag coordinator as part of annual licence process.
“Both plants inspected meet all of the requirements and standards to receive their licence renewal,” he said.
Doug Sell, the region 2 director for the Alberta Seed Processors, formerly the Association of Alberta Coop Seed Cleaning Plants, was in attendance during the seed cleaning plant inspections.
“Both plants are doing an excellent job, with only minor issues observed. Both plants are utilizing colour sorters allowing for higher quality results in their cleaning,” he said.
Atchison also gave an update on the ALUS (Alternative Land Use Services Canada) program.
ALUS works with Mountain View County and other municipalities on land conservation projects, including those aimed at wetland preservation.
In 2018, 11 producers were approved funding for projects totalling $56,476, covering 310 acres, he said.
It is estimated that Mountain View County producers contributed approximately $51,187 to project establishment, he said.
“Two producers had their ALUS contracts come up for renewal and they renewed for an additional five years,” he said.
