Lamont County declares state of agricultural disaster
Last Updated: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 | 3:16 PM MT
CBC News
Another Alberta county has declared a state of agricultural disaster because of a lack of rain combined with cool weather this past spring.
Grain and cattle producers in the County of Lamont, northeast of Edmonton, are affected.
John Chomiak, who raises cattle in the area, has seen a huge increase in the price of hay he uses for feed.
"I've purchased hay at $40 a bale and maybe $45 at times, but today, that same bale is $100 a bale and when you look at your bottom line profit-loss, you can't exist on that … so something has to give," Chomiak said Tuesday.
Producers of grain and oilseed may cut down their plants rather than letting them mature and use the crop as green feed so they have some feed for their animals, county officials said.
Lamont County council will lobby the provincial and federal governments for financial assistance.
Last week, the County of Camrose declared an agricultural state of disaster because of drought conditions.
Share Tools
Latest Edmonton News Headlines
- Police chief apologizes to former employee over racism
- Edmonton's chief of police has apologized to one of the department's former employees who says the racist behaviour of her boss and colleagues forced her to leave her job. more »
- Edmonton trustees named marshals of gay pride parade

- Trustees from the Edmonton Public School Board will be the honorary marshals at this year's gay pride parade. more »
- ATV collision kills teen near Hinton
- An 18-year-old male died Thursday after he was thrown from his all-terrain vehicle near Hinton. more »
- Alberta readies 60 new ambulances for service
- Around 60 new ambulances will soon be whizzing across the province thanks to a large purchase by Alberta Health Services. more »
Top News Headlines
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges

- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- Severe storm in Quebec leaves damage in its wake
- Trees were uprooted, roofs damaged and windows shattered as severe thunderstorms, and possibly a tornado, rattled through southwestern Quebec Friday night. more »
- The risks and responsibilities of taking on Mt. Everest

- The deaths of five climbers last weekend on Mt. Everest, with more summits underway this weekend, fuels the debate about the risks and responsibilities of high altitude climbing. more »
- Pope's butler arrested in Vatican leaks scandal
- The Vatican has confirmed that the Pope's butler was arrested earlier in the week in connection with an embarrassing document leaks scandal. more »
- Former MLA questions need for Alberta Party
- Police chief apologizes to former employee over racism
- ATV collision kills teen near Hinton
- Edmonton trustees named marshals of gay pride parade
- Oil spill clean-up underway in northern Alberta
- Alberta readies 60 new ambulances for service
- Edmonton toddler killed by SUV in parking lot
- Hobbema youth dispel stereotypes with photography
- Garlic mustard spreading in Mill Creek Ravine

