Pest Control
The Pest Control Act requires that:
Every person shall take measures to destroy, control and prevent the spread of all pests on any land or other premises owned, occupied or controlled by him.
The municipality engages the services of pest control officers to conduct farm site inspections.
Bait is available to the agricultural ratepayers of the municipality, at no charge; with the following conditions:
- bait cannot be applied in residential areas;
- bait must be used only on properties owned or leased by the person obtaining the bait;
- landowners must sign an acknowledgment for the amount of bait received.
Clubroot
Clubroot is a serious soil-borne disease of cruciferous plants, such as canola. In canola, it causes swellings or galls to form on the roots, which can ultimately causes premature death of the plant. It is caused by a fungus-like protist called Plasmodiophora brassicae.
Currently, there are no economical control measures that can remove this pathogen from a field once it has become infested. However, it is possible to curtail the spread of the pathogen and reduce the incidence and severity of the disease.
Management of infested fields through the combination of minimizing the risk of soil movement and using a sanitation plan, diligently scouting and record keeping, controlling host weeds and volunteer canola, utilizing clubroot-resistant varieties (and properly rotating resistance genes) prevention of soil movement and sanitation, practicing an effective crop rotation, and using patch management techniques for infested areas are the most effective methods of controlling this disease. While soil amendments (lime) have been effective in vegetable crops, the translation of this into a practical, economical and effective solution for large scale canola crops is still being investigated.
Preventing the spread of clubroot spores through contaminated soil movement is critical to managing this disease.
Should you have any questions or concerns with Clubroot please contact:
Lynne Roszell
(306) 852-8328
Feral Wild Boar Control Program
Wild boar were first introduced to Saskatchewan during the 1990s as part of an agriculture diversification initiative. Smart and tough, some animals escaped from their pens. At first it was thought that these animals would be unable to survive the harsh Canadian prairie winters; however, they not only survived, they thrived. Hardy and adaptable, wild boar have become firmly established in the wild in some parts of the province.
These animals are omnivores and, as such, eat a variety of plants, roots and animals, and root up the ground wherever they go. Groups of wild boar have been known to destroy acres of crop overnight. They not only damage private property, but also seriously damage native flora and fauna through their feeding habits and reproductive capability. Feral wild boar have the potential to become carriers of diseases and parasites that can harm the health of domestic livestock.
Saskatchewan producers and landowners can access support for controlling feral wild boar. Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) has assumed administration of the Feral Wild Boar Control Program, which was previously administered by the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM). The Feral Wild Boar Control Program will operate as part of the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program.
For more information about the Feral Wild Boar Control Program or to report a wild boar sighting, contact your nearest Crop Insurance office or call 1-888-935-0000
