Agricultural Services staff remain on the alert for potential developments of crop pest infestations. Staff provide agronomic advice and fulfill obligations for enforcement, when necessary, under the Agricultural Pests Act.

Grasshoppers

Several species of grasshopper are deemed agricultural pests which can do considerable damage to crops. Agricultural Services staff provide field assistance with the Alberta Agriculture grasshopper surveys to determine the levels of grasshoppers throughout Leduc County cropland. Agricultural Services staff can assess crop damage and economic thresholds of grasshoppers in the field and give recommendations for control to Leduc County producers.

Clubroot of Canola

Clubroot is a pest under the Agricultural Pests Act and it is Leduc County's policy to identify cropland within the County that have clubroot infestations so as to limit the spread of this disease. Positive confirmation of clubroot in a field will require the landowner/renter developing a management plan to limit the spread of the disease using some of the methods outlined in Alberta Agriculture's Clubroot Management Plan. The County is striving to work with the agricultural community to develop measures to deal with this disease.

Leduc County Clubroot Policy
Leduc County Clubroot Control Code of Practice

Other questions or concerns about crop health, insects and diseases can be brought to the Agricultural Services office at 1105 - 5th Street, Nisku for identification and agronomic recommendations.